Collaborative Framework on Enhancing Dialogue on High Shares of Renewables in Energy Systems: "Optimizing the operation of energy systems with high penetration of variable renewable energy"

In IRENA’s 1.5°C Scenario, renewable energy sources are projected to supply 91% of global electricity by 2050, with solar photovoltaic (PV) and wind accounting for approximately 70%. To support this shift, the power sector requires significant infrastructure developments to ensure stable, reliable and efficient operation of grids based dominantly on variable renewable energy (VRE). These developments involve not only expanding existing infrastructure to accommodate the increasing generation capacity but also modernising current assets and updating operational and planning practices. This modernisation is essential for providing the flexibility needed to manage the growing variability in energy supply.

Drawing on IRENA’s latest analysis looking into technical challenges and solutions for achieving 100% renewable power systems, the meeting will explore how countries are defining and planning for high share renewable energy targets, and how these ambitions translate into specific system design and operational challenges. The definition of such targets varies widely – depending on system boundaries, such as whether they apply to a single grid or a national system. It also hinges on the temporal resolution of planning (such as hourly, daily, or seasonal balancing), and whether energy demand is expected to be met through local resources or supported by imports. These definitional aspects have significant implications for how technically feasible and operationally secure a 100% renewable energy target can be.

A central theme of the discussion will be the integration of high shares of VRE into power systems and the associated need for enhanced flexibility and system stability. Power systems dominated by variable sources require the ability to manage supply and demand imbalances across different timeframes, from minutes to seasons. Increasingly unpredictable weather adds to the challenge of balancing demand with supply. Flexibility solutions may include the use of short- and long-duration storage, smart grids, digital and Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions, advanced forecasting, demand-side response, and sector coupling, as well as system-friendly design of renewable projects. In parallel, the reduction of conventional synchronous generation presents new challenges for system stability, particularly in maintaining frequency, voltage, and inertia. This necessitates a shift towards technologies such as grid-forming inverters, synthetic inertia, and improved system resilience and restoration capabilities. This dialogue will provide countries with an opportunity to share technical insights and practical experiences in managing these challenges. The objective is to better understand how countries are approaching the integration of high VRE shares, the solutions being deployed to ensure secure and stable operations, and the technical and planning frameworks that underpin these transitions. Through this exchange, the Collaborative Framework aims to foster cooperation and deepen collective understanding of the pathways toward reliable, resilient, and high shares renewable energy systems.

This meeting is by invitation only.