Analysis of value of flexibility in Japan's power system with increased VRE. Issue 1 (17th April 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Nakayama, Sumie; Azuma, Hitoshi; Fukutome, Suguru; Ogimoto, Kazuhiko
• Is Part Of: Clean energy. Volume 2:Issue 1(2018)
• Page Start: 37
• Page End: 44
• Publication Date: 2018-04-17
• Subjects: component -- power demand and supply -- renewable energy -- flexibility -- Japan's power system -- production cost model analysis; Clean energy -- Periodicals; Energy industries -- Periodicals; Renewable energy sources -- Periodicals; Carbon dioxide mitigation -- Periodicals; Green technology -- Periodicals; Carbon dioxide mitigation; Clean energy; Energy industries; Green technology; Renewable energy sources; Electronic journals; Periodicals
• DOI: 10.1093/ce/zky005
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2515-396X

Abstract

Abstract: The growth of renewable energy has accelerated globally toward a low-carbon economy since the Paris Agreement entered into force in 2016. As a result of the increase of variable renewable energy (VRE), namely solar PV and wind, power systems require more flexibility from conventional power plants with less power generation to regulate increased variability. There are sources of flexibility other than conventional power plants, including enhanced power networks, storage capacity and demand response. To maximize economic utilization of VRE power generation, it is necessary to use the flexibility potential from all these sources. In Japan, the share of VRE has increased since the introduction of a feed-in tariff (FIT) and, in parallel, power market reform is underway. Japan has a unique power system of nine grids connected like a fish bone, making the uptake of an increasing share of VRE challenging. This paper assesses the value of flexibility by source in Japan's power system in 2030. An analysis of different VRE scenarios is undertaken based on a newly developed production cost model. The result of the simulation shows the quantitative impact of each source of flexibility to the generation cost and VRE curtailment and demonstrates the mechanism by which flexibility works to impact VRE curtailment.