Impact of solar energy on the integrated operation of electricity-gas grids

• Published in: Energy (Oxford) Vol. 183; pp. 844 - 853
• Main Authors: Badakhshan, Sobhan, Hajibandeh, Neda, Shafie-khah, Miadreza, Catalão, João.P.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 15.09.2019; Elsevier BV
• Subjects: Clean energy; Computer simulation; Constraints; Duck curve; Electric power generation; Electricity; Energy; Energy transmission; Gas transmission; Natural gas; Penetration; Photovoltaics; Power plants; Ramp rate; Schedules; SCUC; Security; Solar energy; Unit commitment; SCUC; Duck curve; Ramp rate; Natural gas; Solar energy
• ISSN: 0360-5442; 1873-6785
• DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2019.06.107

Photovoltaic energy is one of the clean and efficient energies which has been developing quickly in the last years. As the penetration of solar plants is increasing in the electricity network, new problems have arisen in network operation. This paper models a high penetration factor of solar energy in the electricity network and investigates the impact of solar energy growth on both the generation schedule of different power plants and in the natural gas transmission network. Fuel management of gas power plants is modeled through simulation of the natural gas transmission network. To this end, an increase in the penetration of solar energy in the electricity network inevitably leads to a sudden increase in the output of gas fired units and a linear and integrated model with the electricity and the natural gas transmission networks has been presented to analyze both of them at the same time to better depict the impact of a high penetration of the solar energy in natural gas transmission grids. In this method, natural gas transmission network and Security Constrained Unit Commitment (SCUC) are presented in a single level program. Gas network constraints are linearized and added to the SCUC problem. The stress imposed on the gas network due to a sudden increase in the load of the electricity network is investigated. Conclusions are duly drawn. •This paper models a high penetration factor of solar energy in electricity networks.•Fuel management of gas power plants is modeled by simulation of natural gas network.•Integrated model of electricity and natural gas transmission networks is presented.•Presenting a single level program for natural gas and security constrained unit commitment.•Studying the stress imposed on the gas network due to high penetration of the solar energy.