90–100% renewable electricity for the South West Interconnected System of Western Australia. (1st March 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Lu, Bin; Blakers, Andrew; Stocks, Matthew
• Is Part Of: Energy. Volume 122(2017)
• Page Start: 663
• Page End: 674
• Publication Date: 2017-03-01
• Subjects: Energy system analysis -- Renewable energy systems -- Pumped hydro; Power resources -- Periodicals; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy consumption -- Periodicals; 333.7905
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2017.01.077
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0360-5442

Abstract

Abstract: Rapidly increasing penetration of renewables, primarily wind and photovoltaics (PV), is causing a move away from fossil fuel in the Australian electric power industry. This study focuses on the South West Interconnected System in Western Australia. Several high (90% and 100%) renewables penetration scenarios have been modelled, comprising wind and PV supplemented with a small amount of biogas, and compared with a "like-for-like" fossil-fuel replacement scenario. Short-term off-river (closed cycle) pumped hydro energy storage (PHES) is utilised in some simulations as a large-scale conventional storage technology. The scenarios are examined by using a chronological dispatch model. An important feature of the modelling is that only technologies that have been already deployed on a large scale (>150 gigawatts) are utilised. This includes wind, PV and PHES. The modelling results demonstrate that 90–100% penetration by wind and PV electricity is compatible with a balanced grid. With the integration of off-river PHES, 90% renewables penetration is able to provide low-carbon electricity at competitive prices. Pumped hydro also facilitates a 100% renewables scenario which produces zero greenhouse gas emissions with attractive electricity prices. A sensitivity analysis shows the most important factors in the system cost are discount rate and wind turbine cost. Highlights: Short-term off-river pumped hydro energy storage (STORES). 90–100% renewables for a large-scale self-contained power system. PV and wind serves 80–90% of the total energy. 90% renewables system costs $116 ($103)/MWh using 2016 (2030) prices.