Extensible Electricity System Model for High Penetration Rate Renewable Integration Impact Analysis

A simple yet extensible electrical system model, suitable for studying the effects of renewable energy integration, is presented. The model uses publically available historical data to create a representative sample time-series of system loads. Historical conditions are scaled to future target years in accordance with projected system-wide electrical load growth. Renewable energy generation is evaluated regionally and subregionally from coincident climatic conditions, combined with regionally appropriate generator transform functions. Renewable energy generation is scaled to target years based on legislated requirements or projected growth. Future dispatchable generation requirements and conditions are developed as the difference between the projected load and projected renewable energy deployment. A case study conducted in the eastern Canadian province of Nova Scotia is presented. Legislated renewable energy targets will significantly increase the ramp rates required of dispatchable generation.