8760-Based Method for Representing Variable Generation Capacity Value in Capacity Expansion Models

Research output: NRELPresentation

Abstract

Capacity expansion models (CEMs) are widely used to evaluate the least-cost portfolio of electricity generators, transmission, and storage needed to reliably serve load over many years or decades. CEMs can be computationally complex and are often forced to estimate key parameters using simplified methods to achieve acceptable solve times or for other reasons. In this paper, we discuss one of these parameters -- capacity value (CV). We first provide a high-level motivation for and overview of CV. We next describe existing modeling simplifications and an alternate approach for estimating CV that utilizes hourly '8760' data of load and VG resources. We then apply this 8760 method to an established CEM, the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's (NREL's) Regional Energy Deployment System (ReEDS) model (Eurek et al. 2016). While this alternative approach for CV is not itself novel, it contributes to the broader CEM community by (1) demonstrating how a simplified 8760 hourly method, which can be easily implemented in other power sector models when data is available, more accurately captures CV trends than a statistical method within the ReEDS CEM, and (2) providing a flexible modeling framework from which other 8760-based system elements (e.g., demand response, storage, and transmission) can be added to further capture important dynamic interactions, such as curtailment.
Original languageAmerican English
Number of pages21
StatePublished - 2017

Publication series

NamePresented at the 2017 International Energy Workshop (IEW), 12-14 June 2017, College Park, Maryland

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/PR-6A20-68870

Keywords

  • capacity expansion models
  • CEM
  • curtailment
  • demand response
  • power sector modeling
  • renewable energy
  • statistical methods
  • storage
  • transmission

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of '8760-Based Method for Representing Variable Generation Capacity Value in Capacity Expansion Models'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this