[dhx]

Generation curtailment is expected though in a 100% VRE power grid because it's necessary to overbuild, and this strategy is found to be economically viable almost anywhere on the planet.[1][2] Generation curtailment could be minimised though with demand-side flexibility (eg. turn on aluminium smelters when it's windy), not necessarily just with pumped storage hydro and/or lengthy transmission line builds to other regions where solar generation can be used to supplement wind generation.

Relevant quotes:

"this report infers that, almost anywhere on the planet, nearly 100% VRE power grids firmly supplying clean power and meeting demand 24/365 are not only possible but would be economically viable, provided that VRE resources are optimally transformed from unconstrained run-of-the weather generation into firm generation."[1]

"VRE overbuilding and operational curtailment (i.e., implicit storage) are key to achieving economically acceptable firm 24x365 solutions. Because firm power generation could be achieved locally/regionally in many cases with a small premium, optimum implicit storage solution could alleviate the need for major power grid enhancement requirements."[2]

[1] https://iea-pvps.org/key-topics/firm-power-generation/

[2] https://iea-pvps.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Report-IEA-P...

[pyrale]

> eg. turn on aluminium smelters when it's windy

I'd be curious to learn how you intend to amortize that aluminium smelter, while also being competitive on aluminium markets.

> The variable-to-firm transformation enablers include energy storage, the optimum blending of VREs and other renewable resources, geographic dispersion, and supply/demand flexibility.

Yeah... provided someone else does that for them, VREs are very cheap.

[ZeroGravitas]

Smelters around the globe are doing this already. Rio Tinto operates one in New Zealand to help manage seasonal hydro flows for example.

In Australia the same firm is vocal that unless the local area moves from coal to renewables they won't hit price points that are competitive on the global market.

[defrost]

Further info re: Australian Aluminium production

   The four aluminium smelters in Australia consume 10% of the nation’s electricity and produce close to 5% of total emissions.
  Smelting is so energy intensive that in many countries, it has driven the construction of new fossil fuel power plants.

  That’s why it’s nicknamed “congealed electricity”.

  This week, the federal government proposed a new policy aimed at making aluminium smelting green.

* https://www.climateworkscentre.org/news/will-tax-incentives-...

* https://aluminium.org.au/australian-industry/australian-alum...

[friendzis]

> Generation curtailment could be minimised though with demand-side flexibility

Demand-side flexibility is synonymous with surge-pricing, ensuring peak demand energy is a luxury good. Ensuring that energy availability is only mostly guaranteed to those able to outbid the bottom something-percentile: those using energy for economically productive work and otherwise rich.

This is quite opposite of an utility.