The Duck Curve Is Solar Energy S Greatest Challenge

California researchers discovered a peculiarity in their state s electric load curves that started to look more and more like a duck.

The duck curve is solar energy s greatest challenge.

Since its discovery the duck curve has become an emblem of the challenges faced by power system operators when integrating variable renewables on the grid. And that duck shaped chart highlights the greatest challenge to solar energy growth in. The large ramp up in demand from day to night as more people use solar can be damaging to electrical distribution systems. This creates an electricity demand curve known as the duck curve that is troubling for managers of electrical grids.

Duck curve in california. The duck curve was discovered by researchers at california independent system operator who modelled what large scale solar generation would look like back in 2010. It highlights concerns that the conventional power system will be unable to accommodate the ramp rate and range needed to fully utilize solar energy. The energy can then be dispatched when it s needed and would almost definitely flatten the curve.

The duck curve represents a transition point for solar energy. The second method of smoothing out the duck curve is committing to the storage of energy generated by solar and wind instead of immediately sending that energy directly to the grid. Fast forward nine years and their projections have become reality the duck curve is the biggest challenge that renewable energy is facing. By carlos waters may 9 2018 4 40pm edt.

The effects of the duck curve have happened faster than anticipated. But as utilities started to produce more energy from renewable sources like solar the models started to shift as well. The duck curve is a snapshot of a 24 hour period in california during springtime when this effect is most extreme because it s sunny but temperatures remain cool so demand for electricity is low since people aren t using electricity for air conditioning or heating. This duck curve is solar energy s greatest challenge renewables require a change in the how we supply electricity.

A major challenge is deploying mitigating capacity at a rate that keeps up with the growth of solar energy production. And that duck shaped chart highlights the greatest challenge to solar energy growth in.