Qualitative analysis of strategies for the integration of renewable energies in the electricity grid

Abstract

Solar and wind electricity production with their volatile production patterns, have a high proportion in the renewable electricity production in the target frame of the German "Energiewende". The ratio of secure to non-secure generation capacity will increase to almost 1:1 in the year 2020 and thus further worsen the already existing problems in the integration of renewables into the grid. The consequence will be higher overall electricity supply costs. Solution options for this are grid expansion, more flexible generation in conventional power plants and demand-side control such as smart grids or smart markets. The latter offer rewarding capacities, especially in the heat demand. Although combined heat and power units (CHP) can be used as a flexible, decentralized generation capacity, they have to be linked up and integrated accordingly. The need for flexible generation and balancing power requires additional energy storage. Next to pump storage facilities wind-hydrogen systems or stationary battery storage systems offer solutions to medium and large amounts electricity absorption and reinstate feeding into the grid. Due to the developments status of all these options, an appropriate regulatory framework for the market introduction is needed. © 2014 The Authors.