Renewable Energy Systems

Chapter 5 Analysis Large-Scale Integration of Renewable Energy

With a contribution byWillet Kempton, Associate Professor, College of Marine and Earth Studies, University of Delaware

The large-scale integration of renewable energy sources into existing energy systems must meet the challenge of coordinating fluctuating and intermittent renewable energy productions with the rest of the energy system. Meeting this challenge is essential, especially with regard to electricity production, since electricity systems depend on an exact balance between demand and supply at any time. Given the nature of photovoltaic (PV), wind, wave, and tidal power, little can be gained by regulating the renewable source itself. Large hydropower producers are an exception, ...