Renewable power generation

Abstract This chapter provides an overview of the characteristics of main renewable sources for electrical power generation. First, three forms of renewable sources for electric power generation (wind, solar, and tidal) are reviewed to show their intermittent characteristics. Second, the challenge resulting from high penetration of variable renewable power generation is discussed. Flexibility in the power grid is thus required for balancing electricity supply and demand. Third, the integration of solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) with renewable power generation technologies is investigated to show how SOFCs could support the transition to a low-carbon power system. SOFCs have the potential to contribute to achieving a low-carbon power system. This contribution is mainly implemented via two ways: (1) to generate electricity using renewable gases such as hydrogen or biogas and (2) to provide flexibility to the power grid such as through ancillary services. This flexibility is able to facilitate the large-scale integration of renewable power generation technologies in power systems. SOFCs can also play a role as backup generation for local energy systems. The synergies among different energy vectors through coupling components are also discussed. Specifically, the following aspects should be further investigated: – Spatial-temporal modeling tools are required to analyze the interactions and interdependencies among different energy systems and to study the impact of cascading failures affecting the reliability of energy supply. – Assessment methodologies and evaluation criteria are required to quantify the technoeconomic performance of energy system integration.