System Operation: Innovation Landscape Briefs

IRENA’s Innovation Landscape report highlights innovations in system operation that allow the integration of higher shares of variable renewable power generation.

These innovations, aimed at facilitating distributed operation, accommodating uncertainty and help to reducing the need for grid reinforcement, are explored further in specific briefs:

Using distributed energy resources

Innovative ways to operate the distribution grid and facilitate markets for distributed generation:

• Future role of distribution system operators
• Co-operation between transmission and distribution system operators 

Accommodating uncertainty

New procedures that enhance electricity system flexibility:

• Advanced forecasting of variable renewable power generation
• Innovative operation of pumped hydropower storage 

Deferring grid reinforcement

Innovative approaches to reduce variable renewable energy (VRE) curtailment, ease congestion and reduce grid reinforcement needs:

• Virtual power lines
• Dynamic line rating  

See the main Innovation Landscape report.

See also related briefs on innovations in Enabling Technologies, Market Design and Business Models.