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Research Project
Smart-grid optimisation using rate of change of frequency (RoCoF) to rapidly balance power grid network frequency - enabling more widespread use of unpredictable renewables and minimising blackouts
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Authors
Publications
Exploring wind and solar PV generation complementarity to meet electricity demand
Publication . Couto, António; Estanqueiro, Ana
ABSTRACT: Understanding the spatiotemporal complementarity of wind and solar power generation and their combined capability to meet the demand of electricity is a crucial step towards increasing their share in power systems without neglecting neither the security of supply nor the overall cost efficiency of the power system operation. This work proposes a methodology to exploit the complementarity of the wind and solar primary resources and electricity demand in planning the expansion of electric power systems. Scenarios that exploit the strategic combined deployment of wind and solar power against scenarios based only on the development of an individual renewable power source are compared and analysed. For each scenario of the power system development, the characterization of the additional power capacity, typical daily profile, extreme values, and energy deficit are assessed. The method is applied to a Portuguese case study and results show that coupled scenarios based on the strategic combined development of wind and solar generation provide a more sustainable way to increase the share of variable renewables into the power system (up to 68% for an annual energy exceedance of 10% for the renewable generation) when compared to scenarios based on an individual renewable power source. Combined development also enables to reduce the overall variability and extreme values of a power system net load.
Centrais híbridas : caracterização da complementaridade eólica e solar fotovoltaica em Portugal
Publication . Couto, António; Ferreira, P.; Estanqueiro, Ana
RESUMO: A compreensão e exploração da complementaridade da produção eólica e solar fotovoltaica (PV), podem representar uma oportunidade técnica e economicamente sustentável para aumentar a penetração destas fontes de energia renováveis (FER) nos sistemas electroprodutores. Em Portugal, atualmente já se encontra legislado o conceito de centrais híbridas, onde a complementaridade entre as diferentes FER é crucial para permitir alavancar os níveis de penetração destas tecnologias, incrementando igualmente a rentabilidade dos investimentos podendo auxiliar no cumprimento dos objetivos previstos no Plano Nacional de Energia e Clima 2030 relativamente à capacidade instalada. Neste trabalho é realizada uma avaliação do potencial das centrais híbridas (eólica + PV) em Portugal, considerando o sobreequipamento dos parques eólicos (PEs) atuais usando tecnologia solar PV, permitindo explorar a complementaridade da produção entre estas duas tecnologias e beneficiando das infraestruturas existentes (e.g., subestação). Por comparação, é igualmente avaliado o impacto de adicionar mais capacidade eólica em cada PE atual. Os resultados demonstram que devido às condições atmosféricas predominantes, Portugal apresenta um elevado potencial para adoção do conceito de centrais híbridas em larga-escala.
Participação estratégica dos parques eólicos nos mercados de eletricidade
Publication . Algarvio, Hugo; Couto, António; Lopes, Fernando; Estanqueiro, Ana
RESUMO: A União Europeia tem objetivos ambiciosos para o uso maioritário de energias renováveis em todos os setores de atividade, originando uma crescente penetração renovável nos mercados de eletricidade. O mercado diário, desenhado quando predominavam as tecnologias despacháveis, fecha às 12:00 da Europa Central, fazendo com que a geração renovável variável no tempo (VRE) faça licitações usando previsões meteorológicas entre 19 e 43 horas antes da operação em tempo real, dando origem a erros consideráveis nas previsões. O comportamento estocástico e a reduzida previsibilidade das VREs originam problemas nos mercados, especialmente, a redução dos preços de mercado devido às suas ofertas a preço zero, e a necessidade de balanceamento do sistema provocadas pelos seus desvios. Deste modo, através da análise aos resultados de diversos cenários em que se considera a participação ativa dos parques eólicos (PEs) em mercado, verifica-se que só através de alterações profundas nos modelos de mercado será possível garantir a viabilidade económica dos PEs sem incentivos diretos como as tarifas fixas garantidas.
Assessment of wind and solar PV local complementarity for the hybridization of the wind power plants installed in Portugal
Publication . Couto, António; Estanqueiro, Ana
ABSTRACT: To decarbonize electrical power systems, it is essential to incorporate a high share of variable renewable energy sources while minimizing their costs. An important step towards this goal includes exploring the potential for the so-called hybrid renewable power plants through the combination of (existing) wind and solar power parks. Although that is not the usual approach in their design, hybrid power plants should take advantage of existing synergies, as generation complementarity among the renewable generation technologies, and benefit from using existing infrastructures and the same grid connection point. This investigation assesses the potential of existing Portuguese wind parks for hybridization with solar power photovoltaic generation. Correlation and energy metrics for assessing the complementarity at hourly and daily periods are applied to quantify existing synergies. Results show a high potential for hybrid power plants: levels of complementarity between wind and solar resources are globally high thus allowing to increase the share of variable renewable energy sources with minimal energy curtailment, when compared with scenarios of overplanting additional wind power capacity. The highest and most consistent levels of complementarity are found in the interior regions of central and northern Portugal. The research shows that Portugal has privileged weather conditions that allow the concept of hybrid power plants to be largely explored and extended on a large and efficient scale. This outcome, which may be replicated for other countries, is an important contribution to increasing the penetration of renewable energy in electrical power systems while minimizing the overall costs of renewable energy.
Identification of extreme wind events using a weather type classification
Publication . Couto, António; Costa, Paula Silva; Simões, Teresa
ABSTRACT: The identification of extreme wind events and their driving forces are crucial to better integrating wind generation into the power system. Recent work related the occurrence of extreme wind events with some weather circulation patterns, enabling the identification of (i) wind power ramps and (ii) low-generation events as well as their intrinsic features, such as the intensity and time duration. Using Portugal as a case study, this work focuses on the application of a weather classification-type methodology to link the weather conditions with wind power generation, namely, the different types of extreme events. A long-term period is used to assess and characterize the changes in the occurrence of extreme weather events and corresponding intensity on wind power production. High variability is expected under cyclonic regimes, whereas low-generation events are most common in anticyclonic regimes. The results of the work provide significant insights regarding wind power production in Portugal, enabling an increase in its predictability.
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Funders
Funding agency
European Commission
Funding programme
H2020
Funding Award Number
719137