The large-scale deployment of solar and wind generation has changed the paradigm of power systems and electricity markets in which prices were traditionally based on marginal generation cost and fuel prices. Most of generation capacity was considered dispatchable and available throughout most of the year. Solar and wind do not require fuel and have practically zero marginal generation costs, although they are available only when the sun shines or the wind blows. IRENA is at the forefront of the discussion on how to best plan and operate a power system with large shares of solar and wind, and also contributes to the global debate on electricity market design for renewables. Specific issues raised by Member countries have been timely addressed in specific guiding documents – such as that on grid codes for variable renewables – or by providing specific advice to Members on those issues.

Planning for the renewable future: Long-term modelling and tools to expand variable renewable power in emerging economies

This report highlights the findings from AVRIL (“Addressing Variable Renewable Energy in Long-term Energy Planning”), a project by IRENA that has identified the best practices in long-term planning and modelling to represent high shares of VRE. 

• January 2017
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• Power, Energy Transition
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• English

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