In the rapidly evolving energy landscape, the integration of renewable energy sources like wind and solar power is transforming power systems worldwide. However, this transition is not without its challenges. The inherent variability and intermittency of these renewable sources demand a more dynamic and complex approach to power system regulation. A recent study led by Fan Li of the State Grid Economic and Technological Research Institute Co., Ltd., Beijing, delves into these challenges and offers a comprehensive review of multi-temporal scale regulation requirements and the application of diverse flexible resources.
As Li explains, “The increasing share of wind and PV generation presents unprecedented challenges for the stability and flexibility of the power system. Traditional coal-fired power plants, while contributing to grid stability, lack the flexibility and responsiveness needed in modern power systems.” This is particularly evident during extreme weather events, where maintaining supply security and ensuring economic operation become increasingly difficult.
The study, published in ‘Energies’ (Energies), categorizes regulation demands into short, medium, and long-term scales, each presenting unique challenges. Short-term regulation focuses on addressing instantaneous supply-demand imbalances, while medium-term regulation deals with fluctuations in load and renewable energy generation over longer periods. Long-term regulation, on the other hand, involves balancing seasonal and annual supply-demand disparities.
Li’s research highlights the potential of diverse flexible resources, including energy storage systems (ESS) and demand response (DR), to meet these regulation needs across various time scales. For instance, rapid-response systems like battery storage and demand response can address instantaneous supply-demand imbalances. Meanwhile, distributed generation and medium-scale storage technologies play a crucial role in supplementing fluctuations in renewable energy generation over medium time scales. Large-scale storage solutions, such as hydrogen energy storage or pumped hydro storage, can balance seasonal and annual supply-demand disparities.
One of the most intriguing aspects of Li’s research is the potential of hydrogen-based solutions. Hydrogen energy not only enables large-scale, long-term storage but also holds potential for cross-sector applications, particularly in transportation and industry. “Hydrogen energy could provide crucial support for the flexible regulation of power systems,” Li notes, highlighting its role in decarbonizing the power sector and enhancing grid stability.
The findings of this study underscore the importance of combining multiple flexible resources to improve system resilience and sustainability. As the penetration of renewable energy increases, the diversity and regulation capability of flexible resources become critical to ensuring the stable operation of the system. This research highlights the need for advancing the coordination and integration of different flexible resources to improve the speed and accuracy of system regulation.
The implications of this research for the energy sector are profound. As we transition to a more sustainable energy future, the optimization of flexible resource allocation and dispatch across multiple time scales will be essential. Technological innovation and strategy optimization will pave the way for building a more efficient and reliable energy system. By combining short, medium, and long-term storage technologies, alongside advanced dispatch mechanisms, the power sector can enhance its ability to balance supply and demand, ensuring the secure and stable operation of future energy systems.
