Renewable Energy Impacts on Utilities – Causes and Solutions
OVERVIEW The increasing penetration of renewable energygeneration (particularly solar but to some extent also wind) can negatively impact utility operations. California and Arizona are experiencing a significant increase in negative hourly generation costs, minimum load conditions with mandatory curtailments, and excessive ramping requirements. WHY SHOULD YOU ATTEND This short course will describe what is causing these negative impacts on utility operations, how the utilities in California and Arizona are trying to address this with rate design, some of the utility system options and alternatives available to address the issue, and some of the alternatives that customers can use to preserve or enhance the value of their renewable generation. AREAS COVERED Renewable energy (wind and solar) generation profiles Description and development of the “duck curve” Utility rate period changes Tools customers can use to ameliorate some of the impacts of rate peri...