What is it about?

Increasing the use of variable renewable electricity (VRE) such as solar and wind power imposes major challenges to existing energy systems. If not properly considered, the benefits of VRE may get inflated.

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Why is it important?

The increased variability needs to be considered, but also how to optimally operate the remaining power system. In this paper, we show how to optimally manage the energy system with large-scale VRE. Power-to-heat conversion of VRE is a key strategy for cold climates with VRE.

Perspectives

The case of Helsinki (large CHP, large heat load) was interesting, that integrating wind in a traditional way did not bring the emissions down. However, using power-to-heat strategies was the key for better integration and yielded main benefits, e.g. coal-CHP could be abondoned.

Professor Peter D. Lund
Aalto University

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: Modeling flexibility and optimal use of existing power plants with large-scale variable renewable power schemes, Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Energy, October 2016, Elsevier,
DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2016.06.082.
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Contributors

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