The output of many types of renewable electricity generation, such as wind, wave and solar, is intermittent in nature. Output varies with environmental conditions, such as wind strength, over which the operator has no control. Assimilating these fluctuations has the potential to affect the operation and economics of electricity networks, markets and the output of other forms of generation. It can affect the reliability of electricity supplies and the actions needed to ensure demand meets supply every instant.
This report aims to understand and quantify these impacts, and therefore addresses the question ‘What is the evidence on the impacts and costs of intermittent generation on the British electricity network, and how are these costs assigned?’ It is based on a review of over 200 international studies.