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Renewable Electricity Futures Study: Exploration of High-Penetration Renewable Electricity Futures

Renewable Electricity Futures Study: Exploration of High-Penetration Renewable Electricity Futures

Full Title:  Renewable Electricity Futures Study: Exploration of High-Penetration Renewable Electricity Futures
Author(s):  Trieu Mai, Ryan Wiser, Debra Sandor, Gregory Brinkman, Garvin Heath, Paul Denholm, Donna J. Hostick, Naim Darghouth, Adam Schlosser, and Ken Strzepek
Publisher(s):  National Renewable Energy Laboratory
Publication Date: June 1, 2012
Full Text: Download Resource
Description (excerpt):

The  Renewable  Electricity  Futures  Study  (RE  Futures)  is  an  initial  investigation  of  the  extent  to   which  renewable  energy  supply  can  meet  the  electricity  demands  of  the  contiguous  United   States1  over  the  next  several  decades.  This  study  includes  geographic  and  electric  system   operation  resolution  that  is  unprecedented  for  long-­term  studies  of  the  U.S.  electric  sector.  The   analysis  examines  the  implications  and  challenges  of  renewable  electricity  generation  levels— from  30%  up  to  90%,  with  a  focus  on  80%,  of  all  U.S.  electricity  generation  from  renewable   technologies—in  2050.  At  such  high  levels  of  renewable  electricity  penetration,  the  unique   characteristics  of  some  renewable  resources,  specifically  geographical  distribution  and  variability   and  uncertainty  in  output,  pose  challenges  to  the  operability  of  the  U.S.  electric  system.  The   study  focuses  on  some  key  technical  implications  of  this  environment,  exploring  whether  the   U.S.  power  system  can  supply  electricity  to  meet  customer  demand  with  high  levels  of  renewable   electricity,  including  variable  wind  and  solar  generation.  The  study  also  begins  to  address  the   potential  economic,  environmental,  and  social  implications  of  deploying  and  integrating  high   levels  of  renewable  electricity  in  the  United  States.

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