Analysis of Technology Options to Balance Power Generation from Variable Renewable Energy

The ongoing expansion of variable renewable energies is only reasonable if their intermittent electricity generation can be effectively integrated into not only the power sector but also the transport sector and into the supply of space and process heat. To achieve this, the energy system needs to become more flexible while also being able to cope with changing weather influences. This work investigates how these demands can be met while keeping the total system costs of a future German energy system as low as possible.

In an integrative approach interdependencies between all implemented technologies and sectors of the energy system are depicted in hourly resolution. Special attention is given to power plant ramping behaviour, the variation of up to five different weather data sets, the implementation of driving profiles and charging strategies for electric vehicles as well as to the heat-controlled or power-controlled operation of heat generators in combination with thermal energy storage.