Advanced Framework for Quantifying and Managing Renewable Energy Variability in Power Grids

As renewable energy resources (RERs) are integrated more and more to the power system; it becomes imperative to understand their random nature. Therefore, this paper propose the Intermittency Quantification and Analysis Framework (IQAF) for renewable energy, a new design for the measurement of the intermittency of RERs through the creation of new figures of merit for intermittency. These indexes are then calculated, based upon high resolution time series data from a wide variety of renewable sources such as solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind energy systems. The IQAF has the ability to measure short term volatility as well as long term one and is thus more representative of the intermittency nature of these resources. They are particularly produced to cover all regions of the world in different local climates. This has brought into focus the use of these indexes in determination of the level of intermittency required and how it relates to the need for stability in the grid. Additionally, the paper analyses how these indexes can be incorporated into present energy management systems to improve the deployment of renewable energy, strengthen the stability of the grid and contribute to achieving the low carbon electricity system. The outcome of the research thus highlights the significance of the indexes of intermittency for the development of enhanced effectiveness of renewable energy sources in the present day power systems.