The report “Integrating Solar and Wind: Global Experience and Emerging Challenges” by IEA concludes that timely integration is essential for widespread uptake of solar PV and wind. Realising the full potential of expanding solar PV and wind requires proactive integration strategies. Delaying the implementation of measures to support integration could jeopardise up to 15% of solar PV and wind power generation in 2030 and would likely result in up to a 20% smaller reduction of carbon emissions in the power sector. Governments must strategically support targeted integration measures, but guidance is needed on which to prioritise at different stages.
This report aims to put a spotlight on the measures used to integrate VRE, particularly those beyond grid expansion. As most technological solutions for VRE integration are operationally proven or commercially available, their sufficient deployment in many cases will be directly tied to decisions by policymakers in coordination with regulators, system operators, utilities, and consumers. This report presents a first-ever detailed stocktake of VRE integration measures from 50 power systems representing nearly 90% of global VRE generation. The analysis shows that countries with a lower penetration of VRE can integrate vastly higher amounts of VRE, relying on gradual adjustments to their systems based on ample global experience.
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