Integrating RES into the Grid

Description

The attainment of the Paris Agreement climate goals depends on the extent of decarbonisation of the energy system, which is directly and indirectly responsible for 2/3 of all carbon dioxide emissions. Therefore the replacement of fossil fuel electricity generation with Renewables is imperative.

In order to achieve the emissions reductions required to maintain temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius and reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050, renewable energy penetration into the grid must dramatically increase.

The large scale integration of RES, requires the following major interventions

  • Development of storage capacity capabilities at utility scale
  • Development and improvement of smart demand and supply management,
  • Grid extensions, grid interconnections, and power markets integration

in order to provide increased flexibility in the management of supply and demand variability and fluctuations.

Interconnection exists between all 6 GCC states via the GCC Grid and internally in the UAE via the Emirates National Grid (ENG). The GCC Grid and the GCC Interconnection Authority (GCCIA) is shared between the GCC nations.

The transfer capacity potential between GCC nations is at the most 1,000MW, which is a limiting constraint to energy transfer, while storage capacity and smart energy management technologies have not introduced in the GCC, beyond demonstration levels.

A study to identify and define both qualitatively and quantitatively the constraining parameters for large scale RES integration in the GCC Grid and propose solutions to overcome them, would unlock the unlimited Renewables potential of the region to the benefit of society, economy and global climate.

Publications List

Large Scale Grid Integration of Renewable Energy Sources (The Institution of Engineering and Technology)

Empowering Variable Renewables  (International Energy Agency)

Grid Integration of Variable Renewables (International Energy Agency)

Large-scale integration of renewable energies and impact on storage demand in a European renewable power system of 2050—Sensitivity study  (Journal of Energy Storage (Journal of Energy Storage)