Opportunities to reduce the storage capacity in large isolated electric grids

Many developed countries are moving towards a low carbon economy and are therefore demanding higher levels of renewable energy sources. Renewable energy sources are not constant and therefore the electrical system (grid) will require a certain level of energy storage to achieve a higher level of renewable energy penetration. Many of the storage systems will be based on hydro technology, which means would require a significant environmental and social effort. This paper investigates the different possibilities to reduce the required storage capacity as function of the different renewable technologies (solar, wind, biomass, etc.). As the basis for this study, the Navarra region in the north of Spain was selected. This region already possesses a high penetration of wind, solar and hydro production making it an ideal region of study. In addition, this paper shows that it would be feasible to significantly reduce the level of non-renewable generation, especially the most polluting technologies, with the inclusion of a small level of increased energy storage.