NREL published a study, according to which, the power grid is able to accommodate the increased amount of generated power coming from wind and solar energy projects. The "Western Wind and Solar Integration Study" looks into the benefits and challenges of integrating enough wind and solar capacity into the power grid to produce 35% of total electricity demand by 2017. According to study findings, such a feat is technically feasible, and doesn't require extensive additional infrastructure. Some important changes to current operational practices will be required though.
The focus of the study is the impact of wind, PV and CSP solar on the power system operated by WestConnect, a group of utilities in the mountain and southwest states including Arizona Public Service, El Paso Electric Co., NV Energy, Public Service of New Mexico, Salt River Project, Tri-State Generation and Transmission Cooperative, Tucson Electric Power, Western Area Power Administration, and Xcel Energy. According to the study, with present conditions, it is possible to accommodate 30% of wind and 5% of solar penetration. A higher level of coordination between utilities is needed to achieve this, such as more frequent scheduling, and power supply adjustments according to system conditions taking into account increases and decreases in availability of wind or solar power.
[source: NREL]
