The Challenge Of Placing Intermittent Power Generators On The Electricity Grid (EGY940N)

Should We Increase Reliance On Intermittent Power Sources?

Understand some of the key challenges of increasing dependency on intermittent power sources. Find out why the implementation of intermediate power generators on the electricity grid is premature.

Dr Ulrich Decher, PhD in Nuclear Engineering, explains the benefits and challenges that intermittent power sources place on the grid as their contribution to the electricity generation increases.  Although an intermittent source may be emission free, its use on the grid may result in increased emissions depending on the performance of the balancing power source that it is paired with.

Electricity production today is a highly political subject. Over half of the states have renewable goals. Decher explains the need to look carefully where we are going and whether the benefits are truly there and are worthwhile.  We should also learn a lesson from other countries and not repeat any mistakes.

In this session, you will learn

• The grid needs to be balanced
• The grid does not store electricity
• Intermittent power sources make the balancing more difficult
• Intermittent power sources (without storage) do not add electrical capacity to the grid
• Intermittent power sources should not be viewed in isolation without also considering the pairing to the balancing power source

Benefits of the session

• Understand that the massive implementation of intermediate power generators on the electricity grid is premature.  There needs to be research programs to actually measure the alleged benefits, like CO2 reduction.
• It may be possible in the future to backup intermittent power generators with storage devices (such as batteries), but the economics do not look good at the present.

Who should attend

• Anyone interested in the generation of electricity with cleaner power sources
• Politicians who want to be informed about the challenges of increased reliance on renewable energy sources
• Engineers with an interest in renewable energy
• College students and professors in engineering
• Political leaders and their staff
• Grid operators
• Energy storage systems and technology professionals
• R&D organizations
• Environmental organizations
• Equipment manufacturers