Visions from the Future: The Interaction between Curtailment, Spinning Reserve Settings and Generator Limits on Australian Projects with Medium to High Renewable Energy Fractions

35th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 1423-1436
The operational experience and knowledge gained from NT SETuP and other ARENA-funded projects, which typically consist of diesel synchronous generators hybridised with PV and battery storage over the past year are discussed, combined with learnings from other Australian grids with medium to high Renewable Power and Energy Fractions. The operation of PV on these remote grids are used to highlight some of the drivers behind PV curtailment once renewables deliver a large fraction of power and energy, in light of the synchronous generator loading limits, system spinning reserve settings and demand patterns. Based on this experience and worldwide deployment patterns of PV, curtailment will soon become prevalent for grids where renewables routinely reach medium to high Renewable Power and Energy Fractions. A paradigm shift of embracing curtailment as a means of value maximisation, rather than yield maximisation, is identified as a means of ensuring a continued licence to operate for PV over time. Further investment and research needs are discussed for PV to continue to play a meaningful role on the path to 100% Renewable Energy.