Renewable energy sources - in particular, wind, tidal and solar - will play a significant role in the supply side structure of future power systems. Their intermittent nature may be smoothed partly by reserve capacity of the power system, partly by fmding a special place for them in the load demand curve and partly by using secondary storage. Wind and tidal sources are expected to participate in base generation while solar sources are only suited to the intermediate zone of generation curve.

Chapter Contents:

• 18.1 Why renewable power sources
• 18.2 Types of renewable power sources
• 18.2.1 Wave energy
• 18.2.2 Wind energy
• 18.2.3 Tidal energy
• 18.2.4 Small-scale hydroelectric energy
• 18.2.5 Solar thermal technologies and photovoltaics
• 18.3 Storage role in isolated power systems with renewable power sources
• 18.4 Firm power from intermittent sources
• 18.5 Storage role in an integrated power system with grid-connected renewable power sources

Inspec keywords: renewable energy sources; power supply quality; battery storage plants; wind power plants; electricity supply industry; demand side management; tidal power stations; solar power stations; power systems

Other keywords: wind power; renewable power sources; renewable energy sources; energy storage; power systems; solar power; tidal power; load demand curve; supply side structure

Subjects: Other power stations and plants; Power supply quality and harmonics; Power system management, operation and economics