grid without addressing the impacts on the system as a whole may substantially increase electricity prices while reducing grid stability .
Accelerating VRE Integration
Accelerating VRE integration requires a multifaceted approach , including development of strong policy frameworks , long-term planning perspectives in power plant and transmission infrastructure investments , advancement of grid operations and increased engagement with civil society and the private sector .
Although capital costs for VRE technology are falling along with the need for high-cost subsidies , lacking , complicated or even conflicting policies create unpredictable and unattractive investment environments , and can lead to unintended and potentially unfavourable outcomes for VRE integration . The national policy framework provides the underpinnings for successful integration , and its level of comprehensiveness , alignment with national context and pairing with concrete measures to promote VRE will largely determine the ability to advance the use of VRE within power systems .
The Asia-Pacific region is clearly moving forward on the development of VRE , and ESCAP member States continue to adopt a variety of policies to promote renewable energy grid integration . Incentives to encourage investment have been introduced in several countries , such as tax deductions , feed-in-tariffs , funding mechanisms and publicly sponsored research and development . Steps towards removal of noneconomic barriers are also evident , including co-ordinated and expedited permitting and grid connection procedures . Clearly , lessons in VRE integration can already be shared . However , experience in the region also points to the significant need for the further development of comprehensive policy frameworks and enabling environments that can support ambitious targets being set .
Furthermore , investment in the expansion and reinforcement of transmission infrastructure and advanced grid operations is required to connect generation sources , which may be located in areas with little population , to demand centres that may be located across vast geographical distances or across international borders . At the same time , dis-incentivising polluting and carbon-intensive power generation could boost VRE development while reducing a number of social , economic and environmental costs .
Grid Flexibility for Stability and Cost Control
When integrating a diverse set of resources and significant shares of VRE , grid flexibility is fundamental for maintaining system stability , enabling increased market competition and controlling electricity prices . Achieving high levels of flexibility requires a combination of strategies and policies . Comprehensive system planning is needed along with optimisation of power system features . The use of integrated power markets supports system flexibility and can provide a large geographic balancing area . Keys to this include the removal of cross-border tariffs , as well as congestion management through the use of a system operator , which acts as the interface between energy producers and consumers , operating and expanding the power transmission grids or balancing frequency and voltage to allow electricity to flow more freely and efficiently . For isolated markets , the use of demand resources , such as demand response used during net load events can enable grid balancing while integrating VRE . For all systems , the integration of advanced forecasting systems reduces the impact of renewable energy variability to improve system reliability .
Conclusion
With ESCAP actively promoting RE for the region , Malaysia can be credited for similar efforts beyond the FiT ( Feed-in-tariff ) by expanding the RE Agenda via the NET Energy meeting and large scale solar initiatives and introducing the National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 2016-2025 .
Source : ESCAP Regional Trends Report on Energy for Sustainable Development in Asia and the Pacific 2015 . For more info , refer to www . unescap . org
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