Local Balancing of the Electricity Grid in a Renewable Municipality; Analyzing the Effectiveness and Cost of Decentralized Load Balancing Looking at Multiple Combinations of Technologies

Frank Pierie, Christian E. J. van Someren, Sandór N. M. Kruse, Gideon A. H. Laugs, René M. J. Benders and Henri C. Moll
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Frank Pierie: EnTranCe|Centre of Expertise Energy, Hanze University of Applied Science, Zernikeplein 17, 9747 AA Groningen, The Netherlands
Christian E. J. van Someren: EnTranCe|Centre of Expertise Energy, Hanze University of Applied Science, Zernikeplein 17, 9747 AA Groningen, The Netherlands
Sandór N. M. Kruse: Integrated Research on Energy Environment and Society (IREES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 6, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
Gideon A. H. Laugs: Integrated Research on Energy Environment and Society (IREES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 6, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
René M. J. Benders: Integrated Research on Energy Environment and Society (IREES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 6, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands
Henri C. Moll: Integrated Research on Energy Environment and Society (IREES), University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 6, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands

Energies, 2021, vol. 14, issue 16, 1-35

Abstract: With the integration of Intermitted Renewables Energy (I-RE) electricity production, capacity is shifting from central to decentral. So, the question is if it is also necessary to adjust the current load balancing system from a central to more decentral system. Therefore, an assessment is made on the overall effectiveness and costs of decentralized load balancing, using Flexible Renewable Energy (F-RE) in the shape of biogas, Demand Side Management (DSM), Power Curtailment (PC), and electricity Storage (ST) compared to increased grid capacity (GC). As a case, an average municipality in The Netherlands is supplied by 100% I-RE (wind and solar energy), which is dynamically modeled in the PowerPlan model using multiple scenarios including several combinations of balancing technologies. Results are expressed in yearly production mix, self-consumption, grid strain, Net Load Demand Signal, and added cost. Results indicate that in an optimized scenario, self-consumption of the municipality reaches a level of around 95%, the total hours per year production matches demand to over 90%, and overproduction can be curtailed without substantial losses lowering grid strain. In addition, the combination of balancing technologies also lowers the peak load to 60% of the current peak load in the municipality, thereby freeing up capacity for increased demand (e.g., electric heat pumps, electric cars) or additional I-RE production. The correct combination of F-RE and lowering I-RE production to 60%, ST, and PC are shown to be crucial. However, the direct use of DSM has proven ineffective without a larger flexible demand present in the municipality. In addition, the optimized scenario will require a substantial investment in installations and will increase the energy cost with 75% in the municipality (e.g., from 0.20€ to 0.35€ per kWh) compared to 50% (0.30€ per kWh) for GC. Within this context, solutions are also required on other levels of scale (e.g., on middle or high voltage side or meso and macro level) to ensure security of supply and/or to reduce overall costs.

Keywords: decentralized load balancing; renewable energy; biogas; load shifting; energy storage; demand side management; curtailment; energy grid capacity and reinforcements (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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