Decarbonization Analysis for Thermal Generation and Regionally Integrated Large-Scale Renewables Based on Minutely Optimal Dispatch with a Kentucky Case Study

Decarbonization of existing electricity generation portfolios with large-scale renewable resources, such as wind and solar photo-voltaic (PV) facilities, is important for a transition to sustainable energy future. This paper proposes an ultra-fast optimization method economic dispatch firm thermal using high granularity, one minute resolution load, wind, PV data more accurately capture the effects variable (VRE). Load-generation imbalance operational cost are minimized in multi-objective clustered problem various portfolios, realistic generator flexibility, increasing levels VRE integration. The feasibility scenarios evaluated through proposed levelized (LCOE) portfolios. Effective economics applied assess resource adequacy, annual carbon emissions, capacity factor, over generation, build between incremental increases penetration. Solar temporally complement another region studied, combination two beneficial Furthermore, replacing older coal units cleaner agile natural gas hosting provides further pathways decarbonization. Minute-based chronological simulations enable assessment effectiveness related weather-related variability complementary technologies, including storage which sizing procedure proposed. generally applicable methods regionally exemplified Kentucky, USA, eight four major year-long simulated case studies 176 subcases performance computing (HPC) systems.