Understanding the Duck Curve: The New Challenge for Renewable Energy As renewable energy sources like solar power become more prevalent, the energy grid faces new challenges. One of the most prominent is known as the "duck curve"—a term that describes the unique way energy demand fluctuates when a significant portion of electricity comes from solar energy. In this blog post, we’ll break down what the duck curve is, why it matters, and what can be done to address it. What is the Duck Curve? The duck curve illustrates the daily pattern of electricity demand on a power grid that incorporates a lot of solar power. The term comes from the shape of the graph, which, when charting electricity demand over the course of a day, looks like the silhouette of a duck. Here’s how it works:
The price of electricity on the wholesale markets closely follows the Duck Curve as can be seen from the below image. Why the Duck Curve is a Problem At first glance, the duck curve might not seem like a big deal. However, it presents a few key challenges for grid operators:
Cleaner power is cheaper power Like price, the carbon intensity of the grid closely follows the Duck Curve. The cheapest times of the day to procure electricity from the grid also correlate to when the grid has the lowest carbon intensity. Solutions to the Duck Curve Problem Addressing the challenges posed by the duck curve is crucial for maximising the potential of renewable energy. Here are a few strategies that can help:
The Path Forward
The duck curve is a natural consequence of our transition to cleaner energy, and it highlights the importance of creating a more flexible and resilient energy grid. By investing in energy storage, modernising infrastructure, and diversifying energy sources, we can overcome the challenges posed by the duck curve and accelerate the shift toward a more sustainable future. As more regions adopt renewable energy on a larger scale, managing the duck curve will become increasingly vital to ensuring that our energy systems remain reliable, affordable, and green. Comments are closed.
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