Balancing Power and Variable Renewables: A Glimpse at German Data

23 Pages Posted: 25 Dec 2013

See all articles by Lion Hirth

Lion Hirth

Neon Neue Energieökonomik GmbH; Hertie School of Governance

Inka Ziegenhagen

Vattenfall GmbH

Date Written: December 24, 2013

Abstract

Balancing power (regulating power, control power) is used to quickly restore the supply-demand balance in power systems. Variable renewable energy sources (VRE) such as wind and solar power, being stochastic in nature, ceteris paribus increase the need for short-term balancing. Their impact on reserve requirements is heavily discussed in academic and policy circles and often thought to be large. The paper contrasts a literature survey and model results with descriptive statistics of empirical market data from Germany, providing surprising insights: all models predict VRE to increase balancing reserve requirements - however, despite German VRE capacity doubled during the last five years, balancing reserves decreased by 20%, and procurement cost fell by 50%. Other factors, such as increased TSO cooperation and the recession, must have overcompensated for the growth of renewables. To the extent this specific German experience can be generalized, we interpret this as an indication that balancing power is not necessarily a major barrier to VRE integration at moderate penetration rates. Next to reserve requirements, the paper discusses two additional links between renewables and balancing systems: the supply of balancing power by renewables; and the role of the imbalance price as incentive for forecast improvements. Reviewing these three links, the paper also provides a comprehensive overview of balancing systems.

Keywords: balancing power; control power; regulating power; variable renewables; wind power; solar power; market design; renewables system integration

JEL Classification: D42, L94, Q48

Suggested Citation

Hirth, Lion and Ziegenhagen, Inka, Balancing Power and Variable Renewables: A Glimpse at German Data (December 24, 2013). USAEE Working Paper No. 13-154, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2371752 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2371752

Lion Hirth (Contact Author)

Neon Neue Energieökonomik GmbH ( email )

Karl-Marx-Platz 12
12043
Berlin, 12043
Germany

HOME PAGE: http://www.neon-energie.de

Hertie School of Governance ( email )

Friedrichstraße 180
Berlin, 10117
Germany

Inka Ziegenhagen

Vattenfall GmbH ( email )

Berlin
Germany

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