STANFORD UNIVERSITY PIE, Precourt Institute of Energy, STANFORD UNIVERSITY

CONSUMING RENEWABLE POWER: INFORMATION AND RELIABILITY AS A RESOURCE

RAM RAJAGOPAL
CIVIL AND ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING

This study aims to better manage the inherent variability of solar power. Unexpected cloud cover frequently cuts solar supplies. To keep an electric system reliable, large-scale renewable energy generation requires reserve generating capacity with high financial and environmental costs. A better approach may be to match up solar power to large consumers who are willing to ramp usage up or down in sync with somewhat random supplies in exchange for lower electricity rates.

The work will design a variable-reliability contracting mechanism that requires no reserves. The researchers will also develop a system to identify loads that could benefit most from variable power supplies and then value their flexibility. Ram Rajagopal, in collaboration with the University of Illinois’ Pramod Vishwanath, will also investigate the communication platforms necessary between generators and consumers for such arrangements.