The optimisation of renewable energy sources in an electric power system by use of simulation and deterministic planning models

This paper presents two models which have been developed to study the operational and economic impact of integrating renewable power sources in a large scale electricity grid. The first of these models simulates the hour-by-hour operation of the grid and how conventional power plant is scheduled to accommodate renewable power sources in order to meet the total demand. The second model is a deterministic model which assesses the economics of renewable power sources alongside conventional forms of power generation. Results are presented showing how the two models can be used together in order to study the operational and economic impact of wind and photovoltaic power when integrated into the electrical grid systems of England and Wales, the Republic of Ireland and Portugal.