Assessing the value of improved variable renewable energy forecasting accuracy in the South African power system

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2019/v30i2a6293

Keywords:

variable renewable energy (VRE), forecast, weather systems, uncertainty, production-cost model, day-ahead, real-time, South Africa

Abstract

The value associated with an improved variable renewable energy (VRE) forecast has been quantified in this research. The value of improved VRE forecasts can increase with increasing VRE penetration levels as well as the range of this value becoming wider. This value also saturates with high levels of improved VRE forecasts as there is relatively lower impact of improving VRE forecasts further. This paper discusses how the improvement of VRE forecasting could impact the South African power system and representative United States power system jurisdictions.

 

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Author Biography

J. Wright, University of the Witwatersrand

PhD candidate in the School of Electrical and Information Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand.

 

Principal Engineer, CSIR, Energy Centre

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CSIR (South Africa) and NREL (USA) partnered to find out how to better forecast variable wind and solar on South Africa's grid providing a valuable contribution to a key area of research

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Published

2019-06-22

How to Cite

Wright, J., Landwehr, G., & Chartan, E. (2019). Assessing the value of improved variable renewable energy forecasting accuracy in the South African power system. Journal of Energy in Southern Africa, 30(2), 98–109. https://doi.org/10.17159/2413-3051/2019/v30i2a6293