Power system integration of renewables: an economic approach

Identifier:  TDX:2561

Handle: https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11797/TDX2561

Authors:  Batalla Bejerano, Joan

Abstract:
At a global scale, the use of renewable energy has grown considerably over the last two decades, having partially replaced fossil fuels in many areas such as electricity generation. Such a broad commitment to this kind of energy can only be explained by the significant and growing benefits associated with this type of technology in three key areas: environment, security of energy supply and economic development. These new energy sources not only contribute to reducing emissions of greenhouse gases - given its renewable nature - but also improve security of supply, as they use domestic energy sources. In addition, renewable energies are key to economic and social development, encouraging innovation and the creation of high added value jobs. Nevertheless, the rapid deployment of renewable energy already poses challenges for the electricity system in particular, which needs to adapt to increasingly decentralised and variable renewable generation. From the perspective of electrical systems and their operation, the problem to be solved is how to integrate generation from renewable sources into the system when availability is random, freely located and taken into account that when faced with unstable conditions disconnects itself from its own electrical system, forcing the rest of the generation to increase its share in real time to ensure the permanent balance between supply and demand called for by any electrical system for proper operation. This Thesis aims to take a close look at the current design of the electricity market and the economic impact of renewable energy on the final price of electricity paid by consumers, paying particular attention to adjustment markets, essential for the development and deployment of renewable energy.