Dallas, TX -- (SBWire) -- 10/03/2010 -- The last decade has seen a rapid growth in the generation of electric power from renewable sources. This growth has been the result of several stimuli but the most potent has been global warming and a consequent move to reduce emissions of CO2 into the atmosphere. While international agreement on action to combat global warming remains elusive, many countries and regions are pursuing their own renewable policies with the result that all types of renewable generating technology have benefited.

In 2004, according to Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century the total global renewable capacity was 160GW. This rose to 182GW in 2005, 207GW in 2006, 240GW in 2007 and 280GW in 2008. At the end of 2008 large hydropower capacity was 860GW, making a total of 1,140GW.

Hydropower aside, much of this new renewable capacity is from wind turbines which were responsible for 121GW of the 2008 total. Small hydropower added another 85GW, biomass 50-60GW and solar power up to 14GW. With the exception of biomass power generation all these renewable sources provide intermittent generation and this, together with the remote location of some renewable resources, has created a range of integration problems for system operators.

These problems fall into two principal categories, structural problems and balancing problems. The structural problems are associated with the physical changes necessary to accommodate new renewable capacity on a grid. These changes may involve the addition of new transmission lines in order to bring wind power from a remote but resource-rich region to the centers of demand or it might involve both additional stability measures and transmission capacity being added to an existing grid structure to cope with differing power flows arising from the injection of renewably-generated electric power.

Key features of this report

Analysis of key renewable technologies concepts and components.

Assessment of structural costs and grid integration.

Insight relating to balancing issues, intermittency, power supply and demand

Examination of the key grid technology introductions and innovations.

Identification of the key trends shaping the market, as well as an evaluation of emerging trends that will drive innovation moving forward.

Scope of this report

Realize up to date competitive intelligence through a comprehensive review of grid integration technologies concepts in electricity power generation markets.

Assess the emerging trends in renewable technologies – solar, onshore and offshore wind, solar photovoltaic and solar thermal, biomass, geothermal and hydropower.

Identify which key trends will offer the greatest growth potential and learn which technology trends are likely to allow greater market impact.

Compare how manufacturers are developing new grid integration and energy storage technologies.

Quantify costs of renewable integration technologies, with comparisons against other forms of power generation technology, structural costs, and cost of electricity.

Key Market Issues

Key renewable technologies and their characteristics :- There are six principal types of renewable generation in use today, wind power, solar power, geothermal power, marine power, hydropower and biomass power generation. Each has different characteristics which influence the ease with which it can be integrated into a traditional grid system.

Structural costs and grid integration :- Many renewable resources are located at sites remote from such existing grids which will have to be extended and adapted to accommodate them. This is the main source of structural costs associated with renewable generation. An adapted grid must also take account of the fact that renewable generation based on intermittent sources of power do not produce electricity the whole time, a factor which may influence capacity planning for new transmission lines.

Balancing issues and other operational considerations :- The addition of intermittent renewable generation to a transmission and distribution grid affects grid security and stability in a number of ways. The most important of these arises because of the both intermittent and unpredictable nature of some renewable resources of which the most salient is wind power. The system operator’s task is to maintain the balance between supply and demand, generation and load. Load is variable and to a degree unpredictable so the grid already has strategies to cope with such situations.

Energy storage :- One of the most effective methods of dealing with the problems associated with integration of intermittent renewable generating capacity into a grid is by adding energy storage. The most widely used form today is pumped storage hydropower and this is the only type for which a significant and widespread capacity exists. Other technologies include Compressed air energy storage, Battery energy storage, Flywheels, Hydrogen storage. Superconducting coils can also provide grid storage and support services. An additional alternative that might become important in the future is the plug-in electric vehicle.

Key findings from this report

In 2008, the total global renewable non-hydropower capacity was 280GW. At the end of 2008 large hydropower capacity was 860GW, making a total of 1,140GW.

Estimates in the Netherlands for the connection of offshore capacity put the cost at between €60/kW and €110/kW.

A two-day ahead forecast should be able to predict wind output to a root mean square error (RMSE) of less than 10% (normalized to the installed capacity).

For 10% wind penetration the overall wind integration balancing cost is between US$1.3/MWh and US$1.4/MWh

With 20% wind penetration, the balancing cost in Norway and Sweden was estimated to be €0.50/MWh and €0.66/MWh respectively.

Key questions answered

What are the drivers shaping and influencing renewable technology grid integration in the electricity industry?

What are the balancing requirements of the various renewable technologies?

What is renewable grid integration technology going to cost?

Which renewable technologies will be the winners and which the losers in terms power generated, cost and viability?

Which energy storage technology types are likely to find favor with manufacturers moving forward?

Which ancillary services are gaining in popularity and why?

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