Growing shares of solar and wind power call for increasingly flexible grid operation.

This report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) outlines a planning approach to boost flexibility, specifically to accommodate the largest possible shares of variable renewable (solar and wind) energy sources.

The report comes in two parts:

Part 1: Overview for policy makers outlines a range of options to scale up system flexibility.

Part 2: IRENA FlexTool methodology  (coming soon) provides guidance for technical experts on the use of the underlying assessment tool. 

IRENA FlexTool will be available for download soon.  

Country cases studies, meanwhile, highlight the application of the IRENA FlexTool in existing real-world situations.

See the case studies on Colombia and Uruguay

Variable generation output, stronger transmission and distribution systems, increasing storage capacity and demand-side management all help to boost system flexibility, as do renewable-based heat and hydrogen production. Increased flexibility should also contribute to long-term decarbonisation, which is essential to ensure a sustainable energy future.

Report by Irena