A grid integration study is a process and set of tools that answers questions about – and helps decisionmakers plan for – a future with high shares of renewable energy in the power system. A grid integration study is often called a grid impact study.
Main Points
- A grid integration study provides an analytical framework for power system stakeholders to make decisions about interventions needed to achieve high shares of renewable energy reliably and cost-effectively.
- A grid integration study can be done by a variety of power sector decision makers and analysts. But broad, consistent stakeholder engagement and buy-in is critical to a study’s success.
First, Read This
Grid integration studies analyze the technical and/or economic impacts of achieving higher shares of variable renewable energy in the electricity mix. Depending on its purpose and scope, a grid integration study can accomplish a number of important objectives.
Read Excerpt: “What is a Grid Integration Study?” on page 2 of Variable Renewable Energy Grid Integration Studies: A Guidebook for Practitioners by NREL.
Suggested Actions & Next Steps
- Read this grid integration study from India and this one from Thailand to familiarize yourself with how these studies are scoped, implemented and presented.
- Begin to think: What questions do you and your colleagues have about integrating higher shares of variable renewable energy into your power system?