The document outlines a strategic roadmap for transforming power systems to achieve 100% renewable energy supply, emphasizing the necessity for flexibility in integrating variable renewable energy sources (VRES). It delineates key components of power system flexibility, such as energy storage and smart grid technologies, while identifying the challenges and phases of transitioning to a more flexible and reliable energy system. The roadmap suggests that achieving a fully renewable system is technically feasible with a phased approach, from initial lower levels of integration to extensive use of flexibility and storage.

1. Dr. Georgios Papaefthymiou
29/10/2015
Power System Flexibility
Strategic Roadmap
Preparing power systems to supply reliable
power from variable energy resources
Webinar Leonardo Energy

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Can the dream of 100% renewable energy be a
reality?
Not just a dream!
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Flexibility Roadmap
1. Report on how to transform power
systems of today to power systems
deriving most or all of their energy
from variable renewable energy
sources (VRES)
2. Work was funded by ECI
3. Advisory Panel of 40 experts
contributed with comments and
discussion
Links:
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http://www.ecofys.com/en/publications/power-system-flexibility-strategic-roadmap/
http://www.leonardo-energy.org/white-paper/power-system-flexibility-strategic-roadmap

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Flexibility Roadmap
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WHY?
Introduction
and Purpose
VISION
Power System
Flexibility
Vision
CHALLENGES
Key Flexibility
Challenges
ACTIONS
Policy and
Institutional
Frameworks
ROADMAP
SUMMARY

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Flexibility Roadmap
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WHY?
Introduction
and Purpose
VISION
Power System
Flexibility
Vision
CHALLENGES
Key Flexibility
Challenges
ACTIONS
Policy and
Institutional
Frameworks
ROADMAP
SUMMARY

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Why a 100% VRES power system scenario?
> VRES become competitive, and are gaining
a central role in future scenarios
> Relying on energy from VRES will require
transforming the way power systems are
planned and operated.
> Such a ‘wild’ scenario serves as excellent
starting point to understand the challenges
> Flexibility is key in enabling this transition
First step is making more efficient use of it
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Back to the basics: some definitions…
What is power system flexibility?
> Power system flexibility represents the extent to which a power
system can adapt electricity generation and consumption as needed to
maintain system stability in a cost-effective manner.
> Flexibility is the ability of a power system to maintain continuous
service in the face of rapid and large swings in supply or demand.
> Measures of flexibility:
– Ramp rates, minimum up/down times, and start-up/shut-down
times are commonly used indicators of flexibility, measured as MW
available for ramping up and down over time
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Five categories of flexibility options:
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System
Energy
Storage
Supply
Net-
work
Demand

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Flexibility Roadmap
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WHY?
Introduction
and Purpose
VISION
Power System
Flexibility
Vision
CHALLENGES
Key Flexibility
Challenges
ACTIONS
Policy and
Institutional
Frameworks
ROADMAP
SUMMARY

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Flexibility Roadmap
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WHY?
Introduction
and Purpose
VISION
Power System
Flexibility
Vision
CHALLENGES
Key Flexibility
Challenges
ACTIONS
Policy and
Institutional
Frameworks
ROADMAP
SUMMARY

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Power System Flexibility Vision: 7 key elements
1. Exploit flexibility and energy storage
inherent in demand (prosumers)
2. Enable liquid, expanded and close-to-real-
time power markets
3. Control VRES generators to provide grid
support services
4. Institute price incentives or mechanisms
that reflect diversity-related benefits
in the development variable resources.
5. Deploy bulk energy storage to cover
longer periods (weeks to months) of low
renewable energy supply.
6. Develop smart grids for coordination of
flexible resources across voltage levels
7. Establish new electric energy uses to
capitalize on the surplus energy events
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100%
VRES
Power
System
1. DSM
2. Power
Markets
3. VRES
control
4.
Resource
Diversity
5.
Energy
Storage
6. Smart
Grid
7.
Surplus
Energy

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Flexibility Roadmap
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WHY?
Introduction
and Purpose
VISION
Power System
Flexibility
Vision
CHALLENGES
Key Flexibility
Challenges
ACTIONS
Policy and
Institutional
Frameworks
ROADMAP
SUMMARY

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Flexibility Roadmap
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WHY?
Introduction
and Purpose
VISION
Power System
Flexibility
Vision
CHALLENGES
Key Flexibility
Challenges
ACTIONS
Policy and
Institutional
Frameworks
ROADMAP
SUMMARY

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Key flexibility challenges
Near-term
Regime
Integrating low
VRES levels
Reserve requirements
Distribution networks
start hosting DER
Integrate DG
Mid-term
Regime
Penetration in
the 50% range
Market incentives and
harnessing flexibility
Demand side
flexibility
Managing distribution
networks
Transmission network
changes
Market and system
operation changes
Energy storage
Long-term
Regime
Very high
penetrations
Supplying Power
During Low Output
Level Events
Efficient Use of High
Output level Energy
Stable Operation with
Non-synchronous
Generation
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 Power to Fuels
Generalized Role of Energy Storage
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Gas fields &
pipelines,
hydro
reservoirs,
coal piles,
diesel tanks,
etc.
Primary Energy Storage
Pumped
hydro,
compressed
air, batteries,
etc.
Electric Energy Storage
Hot and cold
water
storage,
irrigation
reservoirs,
insulated
buildings, etc.
End Use Energy Storage
Power
Plants
Grid
End Use Energy:
Heating, cooling,
pumping, etc.
End Use
Devices
Primary Energy:
Uranium, natural
gas, diesel, coal,
wind, sun, etc.
G. Papaefthymiou

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Flexibility Roadmap
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WHY?
Introduction
and Purpose
VISION
Power System
Flexibility
Vision
CHALLENGES
Key Flexibility
Challenges
ACTIONS
Policy and
Institutional
Frameworks
ROADMAP
SUMMARY

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Flexibility Roadmap
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WHY?
Introduction
and Purpose
VISION
Power System
Flexibility
Vision
CHALLENGES
Key Flexibility
Challenges
ACTIONS
Policy and
Institutional
Frameworks
ROADMAP
SUMMARY

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Policy and Institutional Frameworks
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Near Term Long TermNear Term
10%
50%
100%
- Enhance markets
- DSM demos
- RE development Zones
(REZs)
- Remove penalties
- Review grid codes
- Market reform: shorter trading
periods, ancillary services markets,
market consolidation, DSM and DER
participation
- Incentives for locating to REZs
- Renewables provide ancillary services
- Transmission and distribution system
coordination, strategic transmission
expansion to REZs
- Strategic energy storage investments
- Research long-term issues
- Implement large scale use
of surplus electric generation
- Grid support transition from
conventional generation to VRES,
demand resources and storage
- Implement non-fossil fuels to
conventional resources or long-term
storage options to bridge period of
low VRES energy supply
- Implement solutions for
stable system operation
with reduced share of
synchronous generators
Penetration
level

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Flexibility Roadmap
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WHY?
Introduction
and Purpose
VISION
Power System
Flexibility
Vision
CHALLENGES
Key Flexibility
Challenges
ACTIONS
Policy and
Institutional
Frameworks
ROADMAP
SUMMARY

20. © ECOFYS | |
Flexibility Roadmap
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WHY?
Introduction
and Purpose
VISION
Power System
Flexibility
Vision
CHALLENGES
Key Flexibility
Challenges
ACTIONS
Policy and
Institutional
Frameworks
ROADMAP
SUMMARY

21. © ECOFYS | |
Roadmap summary
> A 100% VRES system is technically feasible and actions need to
be taken to minimize costs
> A three-phase transformation of the power system:
1. Near Term, lower penetration levels in which integration costs can be
minimized with relatively modest changes to existing practices.
2. Mid Term, higher penetration levels, characterized by exploiting the
system's available flexibility and storage on both the production and
consumption sides-- making more efficient use of surplus energy.
3. Long Term, highest penetration levels, characterized by a system
where markets are dominated by flexibility services and where
bulk energy storage and efficient use of surplus energy become
primary focuses.
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Questions?
Dr. Georgios Papaefthymiou
Ecofys Germany GmbH
Albrechtstraße 10c
10117 Berlin
Germany
E: g.papaefthymiou@ecofys.com
I: www.ecofys.com
G. Papaefthymiou