Power System Resource Adequacy Evaluation under Increasing Renewables for the Midwestern US

The objective of this study is to investigate the effect of increased renewable wind and solar energy on resource adequacy of the Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO) operating region. Resource adequacy is assessed by evaluating loss of load expectation (LOLE) and computing expected load carrying capability (ELCC). LOLE calculations are performed on a copper plate network representation of the MISO operating region using PLEXOS. Two energy mixes are used: a 50% wind, 50% solar mix and a 75% wind, 25% solar mix. Each mix is evaluated at renewable energy penetrations of 10, 30, 50, and 100%. Results suggest that higher levels of renewable energy change the LOLE profile. Additionally, results show that as renewable penetration increases, the ELCC of renewables reduces in both mixes; however, the 75/25 mix results in higher ELCC compared to the 50/50 mix.