Question

What are the operational impacts on fossil-fueled power plants due to high penetrations of wind and solar generation into a power grid?

Short answer

Operational impact is listed below.

Step-by-step solution

Step 1:

The power plants that operate on fossil fuels are typically employed as base-load facilities. They are functioning continually and effectively in this case.

Due to the substantial penetration of wind and solar energy into the power system, they are employed as often as possible for base load generation, excluding transmission or operating capacity restrictions on the generators.

Low-cost energy is provided by wind and solar energy. The cost of operating fissile fuel plants is significantly lowered with the utilization of wind and solar energy, which more than makes up for the expense of often starting and stopping generators.

This causes the number of fossil fuel powered power plants to cycle up. The generator may be committed for brief periods, which could cause it to often start up and shut down, ramp up and down, and even run at the minimal generating level.

The following problems are arises due to cycling:

1. During start-up and ramp-down, emission levels rise. The cost of starting the generator is additionally charged. Fuel is needed to start up the unit and bring it online without drawing power from the grid. Additionally, pollution control systems that are placed to keep emissions under control do not start up until they are fully functioning. It is based on the temperature of the flue gas and the flame.
2. If the generator is not running at full capacity, the efficiency of the system results in a slight increase in emission levels.
3. Increased unit cycling results in component wear and tear.

It may result in expensive, significant, and unlikely events.