Wind and Solar Energy Curtailment: A Review of International Experience

Lori Bird, John Miller, Debra Lew, E. Carlini, Ana Estanqueiro, Damian Flynn, Emilio Gomez-Lazaro, Hannele Holttinen, Nickie Menemenlis, Antje Orths, Peter Eriksen, J. Smith, Lennart Soder, Poul Sorensen, Argyrios Altiparmakis, Yasuda Yoh, Michael Milligan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

428 Scopus Citations

Abstract

Greater penetrations of variable renewable generation on some electric grids have resulted in increased levels of curtailment in recent years. Studies of renewable energy grid integration have found that curtailment levels may grow as the penetration of wind and solar energy generation increases. This paper reviews international experience with curtailment of wind and solar energy on bulk power systems in recent years, with a focus on eleven countries in Europe, North America, and Asia. It examines levels of curtailment, the causes of curtailment, curtailment methods and use of market-based dispatch, as well as operational, institutional, and other changes that are being made to reduce renewable energy curtailment.
Original languageAmerican English
Pages (from-to)577-586
Number of pages10
JournalRenewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews
Volume65
DOIs
StatePublished - 2016

NREL Publication Number

  • NREL/JA-6A20-66767

Keywords

  • curtailment
  • solar
  • transmission congestion
  • wind

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