IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jeners/v17y2024i24p6393-d1547475.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

An Overview of Power System Flexibility: High Renewable Energy Penetration Scenarios

Author

Listed:
  • Md Motinur Rahman

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72467, USA)

  • Saikot Hossain Dadon

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72467, USA)

  • Miao He

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Michael Giesselmann

    (Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA)

  • Md Mahmudul Hasan

    (Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, AR 72467, USA)

Abstract

Power system flexibility is becoming increasingly critical in modern power systems due to the quick switch from fossil fuel-based power generation to renewables, old-fashioned infrastructures, and a sharp rise in demand. If a power system complies with financial restrictions and responds quickly to unforeseen shifts in supply and demand, it can be considered flexible. It can ramp up production during periods of high demand or increase it during unanticipated or scheduled events. The broad use of renewable energy in the power grid can provide environmental and economic benefits; nevertheless, renewables are highly stochastic in nature, with variability and uncertainty. New management with adequate planning and operation in the power system is necessary to address the challenges incorporated with the penetration of renewable energy. The primary aim of this review is to provide a comprehensive overview of power system flexibility, including appropriate definitions, parameters, requirements, resources, and future planning, in a compact way. Moreover, this paper potentially addresses the effects of various renewable penetrations on power system flexibility and how to overcome them. It also presents an emerging assessment and planning of influential flexibility solutions in modern power systems. This review’s scientific and engineering insights provide a clear vision of a smart, flexible power system with promised research direction and advancement.

Suggested Citation

  • Md Motinur Rahman & Saikot Hossain Dadon & Miao He & Michael Giesselmann & Md Mahmudul Hasan, 2024. "An Overview of Power System Flexibility: High Renewable Energy Penetration Scenarios," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(24), pages 1-31, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:24:p:6393-:d:1547475
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/24/6393/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/17/24/6393/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Natalia Fabra & Imelda, 2023. "Market Power and Price Exposure: Learning from Changes in Renewable Energy Regulation," American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, American Economic Association, vol. 15(4), pages 323-358, November.
    2. David E. H. J. Gernaat & Harmen Sytze Boer & Vassilis Daioglou & Seleshi G. Yalew & Christoph Müller & Detlef P. Vuuren, 2021. "Climate change impacts on renewable energy supply," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 11(2), pages 119-125, February.
    3. Huber, Matthias & Dimkova, Desislava & Hamacher, Thomas, 2014. "Integration of wind and solar power in Europe: Assessment of flexibility requirements," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 236-246.
    4. David E. H. J. Gernaat & Harmen Sytze Boer & Vassilis Daioglou & Seleshi G. Yalew & Christoph Müller & Detlef P. Vuuren, 2021. "Author Correction: Climate change impacts on renewable energy supply," Nature Climate Change, Nature, vol. 11(4), pages 362-362, April.
    5. Lind, Leandro & Chaves-Ávila, José Pablo & Valarezo, Orlando & Sanjab, Anibal & Olmos, Luis, 2024. "Baseline methods for distributed flexibility in power systems considering resource, market, and product characteristics," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 86(C).
    6. Acker, Richard H & Kammen, Daniel M, 1996. "The quiet (energy) revolution : Analysing the dissemination of photovoltaic power systems in Kenya," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 24(1), pages 81-111, January.
    7. Francesco Gulotta & Edoardo Daccò & Alessandro Bosisio & Davide Falabretti, 2023. "Opening of Ancillary Service Markets to Distributed Energy Resources: A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-25, March.
    8. Ullah, Kalim & Hafeez, Ghulam & Khan, Imran & Jan, Sadaqat & Javaid, Nadeem, 2021. "A multi-objective energy optimization in smart grid with high penetration of renewable energy sources," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 299(C).
    9. Haugen, Mari & Blaisdell-Pijuan, Paris L. & Botterud, Audun & Levin, Todd & Zhou, Zhi & Belsnes, Michael & Korpås, Magnus & Somani, Abhishek, 2024. "Power market models for the clean energy transition: State of the art and future research needs," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    10. Zhang, Tianhan & Qiu, Weiqiang & Zhang, Zhi & Lin, Zhenzhi & Ding, Yi & Wang, Yiting & Wang, Lianfang & Yang, Li, 2023. "Optimal bidding strategy and profit allocation method for shared energy storage-assisted VPP in joint energy and regulation markets," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    11. Kiviluoma, Juha & Meibom, Peter, 2010. "Influence of wind power, plug-in electric vehicles, and heat storages on power system investments," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 35(3), pages 1244-1255.
    12. Blakers, Andrew & Lu, Bin & Stocks, Matthew, 2017. "100% renewable electricity in Australia," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 471-482.
    13. Işık, Cem & Kuziboev, Bekhzod & Ongan, Serdar & Saidmamatov, Olimjon & Mirkhoshimova, Mokhirakhon & Rajabov, Alibek, 2024. "The volatility of global energy uncertainty: Renewable alternatives," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 297(C).
    14. Tawn, R. & Browell, J., 2022. "A review of very short-term wind and solar power forecasting," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 153(C).
    15. Ghazi, Sanaz & Ip, Kenneth, 2014. "The effect of weather conditions on the efficiency of PV panels in the southeast of UK," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C), pages 50-59.
    16. M. M. Hasan & Shakhawat Hossain & M. Mofijur & Zobaidul Kabir & Irfan Anjum Badruddin & T. M. Yunus Khan & Esam Jassim, 2023. "Harnessing Solar Power: A Review of Photovoltaic Innovations, Solar Thermal Systems, and the Dawn of Energy Storage Solutions," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-30, September.
    17. Deetjen, Thomas A. & Rhodes, Joshua D. & Webber, Michael E., 2017. "The impacts of wind and solar on grid flexibility requirements in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 637-654.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Khawaja Tahir Mehmood & Muhammad Majid Hussain, 2025. "Dynamic Load Management in Modern Grid Systems Using an Intelligent SDN-Based Framework," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-24, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Hrnčić, Boris & Pfeifer, Antun & Jurić, Filip & Duić, Neven & Ivanović, Vladan & Vušanović, Igor, 2021. "Different investment dynamics in energy transition towards a 100% renewable energy system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(C).
    2. Zheng, Mingbo & Zhang, Xinyu, 2025. "Digitalization and renewable energy development: Analysis based on cross-country panel data," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 319(C).
    3. Kang, Kai & Su, Yifan & Yang, Peng & Wang, Zhaojian & Liu, Feng, 2025. "Securing long-term dispatch of isolated microgrids with high-penetration renewable generation: A controlled evolution-based framework," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 381(C).
    4. Mastroeni, Loretta & Mazzoccoli, Alessandro & Vellucci, Pierluigi, 2024. "Wavelet entropy and complexity–entropy curves approach for energy commodity price predictability amid the transition to alternative energy sources," Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    5. Cheng, Qian & Liu, Pan & Xia, Qian & Cheng, Lei & Ming, Bo & Zhang, Wei & Xu, Weifeng & Zheng, Yalian & Han, Dongyang & Xia, Jun, 2023. "An analytical method to evaluate curtailment of hydro–photovoltaic hybrid energy systems and its implication under climate change," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 278(C).
    6. Cheng, Qian & Liu, Pan & Ming, Bo & Yang, Zhikai & Cheng, Lei & Liu, Zheyuan & Huang, Kangdi & Xu, Weifeng & Gong, Lanqiang, 2024. "Synchronizing short-, mid-, and long-term operations of hydro-wind-photovoltaic complementary systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    7. Huang, Mengdi & Chang, Jianxia & Guo, Aijun & Zhao, Mingzhe & Ye, Xiangmin & Lei, Kaixuan & Peng, Zhiwen & Wang, Yimin, 2023. "Cascade hydropower stations optimal dispatch considering flexible margin in renewable energy power system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 285(C).
    8. Truong, Chi & Trueck, Stefan & Pitt, David & Best, Rohan, 2025. "Seasonality and valuation of renewable energy projects in a two factor model," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 389(C).
    9. Cao, Yan & Cheng, Sheng & Li, Xinran, 2024. "Co-movements between heterogeneous crude oil and food markets: Does temperature change really matter?," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 67(PB).
    10. Lee, Chi-Chuan & Fang, Yuzhu, 2025. "Climate finance for energy security: An empirical analysis from a global perspective," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 85(C), pages 963-978.
    11. Zhang, Yi & Cheng, Chuntian & Yang, Tiantian & Jin, Xiaoyu & Jia, Zebin & Shen, Jianjian & Wu, Xinyu, 2022. "Assessment of climate change impacts on the hydro-wind-solar energy supply system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    12. Fang, Yan Ru & Hossain, MD Shouquat & Peng, Shuan & Han, Ling & Yang, Pingjian, 2024. "Sustainable energy development of crop straw in five southern provinces of China: Bioenergy production, land, and water saving potential," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    13. Liu, Tian & Wang, Peipei & Tian, Jing & Guo, Jiaqi & Zhu, Wenyuan & Bushra, Rani & Huang, Caoxing & Jin, Yongcan & Xiao, Huining & Song, Junlong, 2024. "Emerging role of additives in lignocellulose enzymatic saccharification: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 197(C).
    14. Feng, Chao & Liu, Yu-Qi & Yang, Jun, 2024. "Do energy trade patterns affect renewable energy development? The threshold role of digital economy and economic freedom," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 203(C).
    15. Yin, Guangzhi & Duan, Maosheng, 2022. "Pricing the deep peak regulation service of coal-fired power plants to promote renewable energy integration," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 321(C).
    16. Guo, Kun & Kang, Yuxin & Ma, Dandan & Lei, Lei, 2024. "How do climate risks impact the contagion in China's energy market?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    17. He, J.Y. & Li, Q.S. & Chan, P.W. & Zhao, X.D., 2023. "Assessment of future wind resources under climate change using a multi-model and multi-method ensemble approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 329(C).
    18. Gao, Yang & Meng, Yangyang & Dong, Guanpeng & Ma, Shaoxiu & Miao, Changhong & Xiao, Jianhua & Mao, Shuting & Shao, Lili, 2024. "The wind-solar hybrid energy could serve as a stable power source at multiple time scale in China mainland," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 305(C).
    19. Cheng, Qian & Liu, Pan & Feng, Maoyuan & Cheng, Lei & Ming, Bo & Luo, Xinran & Liu, Weibo & Xu, Weifeng & Huang, Kangdi & Xia, Jun, 2023. "Complementary operation with wind and photovoltaic power induces the decrease in hydropower efficiency," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 339(C).
    20. Zhao, Hongye & Liao, Shengli & Liu, Benxi & Fang, Zhou & Wang, Huan & Cheng, Chuntian & Zhao, Jin, 2025. "Multiagent optimization for short-term generation scheduling in hydropower-dominated hydro-wind-solar supply systems with spatiotemporal coupling constraints," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 382(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:17:y:2024:i:24:p:6393-:d:1547475. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.