More Like this

1. Risk-aware electricity dispatch with large-scale distributed renewable integration under climate extremes

   https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2426620122  

   Xu, Luo; Zeng, Hongtai; Lin, Ning; Yang, Yue; Guo, Qinglai; Poor, H Vincent (May 2025, Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences)

   Distribution networks, with large-scale integration of distributed renewable resources, particularly rooftop solar photovoltaic systems, represent the most extensive yet vulnerable components of modern electric power systems during climate extremes such as hurricanes. However, existing day-ahead electricity dispatch approaches primarily focus on the transmission network and lack the capability to manage the spatiotemporal risks associated with the vast distribution networks, which can potentially lead to significant power imbalances due to the mismatches between scheduled generation and actual demand. To address this increasingly critical gap under intensifying climate extremes and growing distributed renewable integration, we introduce Risk-aware Electricity Dispatch under Climate Extremes with Renewable integration (REDUCER), a risk-aware day-ahead electricity dispatch model that incorporates high-resolution spatiotemporal risk analysis for distribution networks with large-scale distributed renewable integration into an Entropic Value-at-Risk-constrained mixed-integer convex optimization framework. Applied to the 2022 Puerto Rico power grid under Hurricane Fiona, the proposed REDUCER model is seen to effectively manage these risks with substantially less reliance on additional flexibility resources to cope with power imbalances, reducing overall operational costs by about 30% under extreme cases compared to standard unit commitment strategies already informed by average demand loss. Also, the proposed REDUCER model consistently demonstrates its effectiveness in managing the increasing temporal net demand variability introduced by growing large-scale distributed solar integration while maintaining minimal operational costs. This model offers a practical solution for cost-effective and resilient electricity dispatch of modern power systems with large-scale renewable integration facing intensifying climate risks. 

   more » « less
2. Storage requirements to mitigate intermittent renewable energy sources: analysis for the US Northeast

   https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1076830  

   Fekete, Balázs M; Bacskó, Mihály; Zhang, Jiaqi; Chen, Mengye (September 2023, Frontiers in Environmental Science)

   Moving away from fossil fuels is essential for a sustainable future. Carrying out this transition without reversing the improvements in the quality of life is the ultimate challenge. While minimizing the anticipated impacts of climate change is the primary driver of decarbonization, the inevitable exhaustion of fossil energy sources should provide just as strong or perhaps even stronger incentives. The vast majority of publications outlining the pathways to “net-zero carbon emission” fall short from leading to a truly “fossil fuel-free” future without falling back to some level of dependence on fossil fuels with carbon capture and sequestration. While carbon capture and sequestration might be a necessary step toward decarbonization, such intermediate goals might turn into a dead end without defining the end point. The main obstacle to wider adoption of renewable energy resources is their inherent intermittency. Solar and wind are, by far, the most abundant renewable energy sources that are expected to take the lion share in transitioning to a sustainable future. Intermittency arises at multiple levels. The most recognized are theshort-term(minute-by-minute, hourly, or diurnal) variations that should be the easiest to address. Less frequently realized are theseasonalandinter-annualvariabilities.Seasonalityposes far greater challenges than minute-by-minute or hourly variations because they lead to the absence of energy resources for prolonged periods of time. Our interest is the feasibility of a future where all energy (100%) comes from renewable sources leaving no room for fossil fuels. We carry out rudimentary statistical analyses of solar radiation and wind speed time series records to quantify the degree of their intermittencies seasonally and inter-annually. We employ a simple but robust accounting of the shortfalls when the supplies do not meet demand via a modified cumulative supply/deficit analysis that incorporates energy losses arising from transporting excess energy to storage and retrieving it as needed. The presented analysis provides guidance for choosing between the installation of excess capacity or the deployment of energy storage to guarantee reliable energy services under the assumption that the energy system is powered exclusively by renewable energy sources. This paper examines the seasonal and inter-annual variability of hydropower and biofuel resources to estimate their potential to mitigate the intermittencies of solar and wind resources. The presented analyses are meant to provide crude, bulk part estimates and are not intended for planning or operational purposes of the actual energy infrastructures. The primary focus of this paper is the Northeast region of the United States using the conterminous United States as a reference to assess the viability of reducing the energy storage need in the study region via improved connectivity to the national grid. This paper builds on the modeling exercises carried out as part of the climate-induced extremes on food, energy, water systems studies. 

   more » « less
3. Provincial-scale assessment of direct air capture to meet China’s climate neutrality goal under limited bioenergy supply

   https://doi.org/10.1088/1748-9326/ad77e7  

   Kim, Hanwoong; Qiu, Yang; McJeon, Haewon; Clarens, Andres; Javadi, Parisa; Wang, Can; Wang, Rui; Wang, Jiachen; Jiang, Hanying; Miller, Andy; et al (October 2024, Environmental Research Letters)

   Abstract China has large, estimated potential for direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS) but its deployment locations and impacts at the subnational scale remain unclear. This is largely because higher spatial resolution studies on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) in China have focused mainly on bioenergy with carbon capture and storage. This study uses a spatially detailed integrated energy-economy-climate model to evaluate DACCS for 31 provinces in China as the country pursues its goal of climate neutrality by 2060. We find that DACCS could expand China’s negative emissions capacity, particularly under sustainability-minded limits on bioenergy supply that are informed by bottom-up studies. But providing low-carbon electricity for multiple GtCO₂yr⁻¹DACCS may require over 600 GW of additional wind and solar capacity nationwide and comprise up to 30% of electricity demand in China’s northern provinces. Investment requirements for DACCS range from $330 to $530 billion by 2060 but could be repaid manyfold in the form of avoided mitigation costs, which DACCS deployment could reduce by up to $6 trillion over the same period. Enhanced efforts to lower residual CO₂emissions that must be offset with CDR under a net-zero paradigm reduce but do not eliminate the use of DACCS for mitigation. For decision-makers and the energy-economy models guiding them, our results highlight the value of expanding beyond the current reliance on biomass for negative emissions in China. 

   more » « less
4. Improved primary frequency response through deep reinforcement learning

   T. Thacker; H. Pulgar-Painemal (October 2022, North American Power Symposium)

   Mostafa Sahraei-Ardakani; Mingxi Liu (Ed.)

   This paper explores the application of deep reinforcement learning (DRL) to create a coordinating mechanism between synchronous generators (SGs) and distributed energy resources (DERs) for improved primary frequency regulation. Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, may be used to aid in frequency regulation of the grid. Without proper coordination between the sources, however, the participation only results in a delay of SG governor response and frequency deviation. The proposed DRL application uses a deep deterministic policy gradient (DDPG) agent to create a generalized coordinating signal for DERs. The coordinating signal communicates the degree of distributed participation to the SG governor, resolving delayed governor response and reducing system rate of change of frequency (ROCOF). The validity of the coordinating signal is presented with a single-machine finite bus system. The use of DRL for signal creation is explored in an under-frequency event. While further exploration is needed for validation in large systems, the development of this concept shows promising results towards increased power grid stabilization. 

   more » « less
5. Review of Dynamic Building Envelope Systems and Technologies Utilizing Renewable Energy Resources

   https://doi.org/10.3390/designs9020041  

   Almesbah, Mohammad; Wang, Julian (April 2025, Designs)

   Dynamic building envelopes integrated with renewable energy sources, termed Dynamic and Renewable Source Building Envelopes (DREBE), provide an innovative approach to optimizing building envelope designs. Yet, these systems are not mature enough and not widely adopted in the industry and few literature resources are employed to understand them. These systems dynamically respond and adapt to various environmental, energy, and occupancy demands for higher energy efficiency and comfort levels compared to traditional building envelopes while simultaneously producing energy. Their potential in climate change mitigation and fostering sustainable urban development warrants great attention from industry and urban planners. Especially in positive energy districts, which aim to reach net-positive energy goals through utilizing smart energy efficient building systems on the district level. This paper reviews innovative systems like dynamic photovoltaic shading devices and phase change materials and evaluates their performance by answering two research questions, what are the current DBE trends and are they feasible in achieving net-positive energy consumption? The analysis conducted reveals the dominance of solar-based dynamic renewable energy systems and a great need for alternatives. The study suggests that alternatives like wind as a renewable energy source should be studied with dynamic systems. Moreover, the study highlights current research gaps including insufficient data on long-term application and economic costs associated with such systems. To address this gap, the study suggests exploring in depth some of these systems and then branching into various combinations of dynamic envelope systems with multiple renewable or adaptive components to further enhance the overall building performance. By synthesizing the current body of literature, this paper gives insights into advancing the application of the dynamic building envelope systems and highlights their crucial role in the future of sustainable urban environments. 

   more » « less