Exploring backup requirements to complement wind, solar and hydro generation in a highly renewable Spanish power system

A weather-driven model is used to investigate the requirements for backup generation (annual energy, power capacity and flexibility) in a system with different penetrations of wind, solar photovoltaics, hydroelectricity. The impact interannual variability assessed by using 26 years weather data. flexibility needed found be higher as penetration increases since ramps caused sunrises sunsets are more significant than those hour-to-hour wind fluctuations. applied Spanish two dispatch strategies reservoir hydro pumped storage evaluated. currently installed gas sufficient secure hourly demand high renewable penetration.