Electric Sector Integration

NREL's electric sector integration analysis work investigates the potential impacts of expanding renewable technology deployment on grid operations and infrastructure expansion.

Integrating higher levels of renewable resources into the U.S. electricity system could pose challenges to the operability of the grid. The goal of our electric sector integration analysis work is to provide objective information that may be helpful for policymakers and utilities and inform decision-making.

High Renewable Generation

Our grid integration studies use state-of-the-art modeling and analysis to evaluate the impacts of higher wind and solar penetrations.

Electric System Flexibility and Storage

Our electric system flexibility studies investigate the role of various flexibility options on large-scale deployment of renewable energy.

Impacts on Conventional Generators

With increasing penetration of renewable generation, conventional power plants may be required to adjust their output to accommodate the variability and uncertainty of these technologies. We’re working to understand and quantify these impacts.  

Transmission Infrastructure

Our analyses support transmission infrastructure planning and expansion to enable large-scale deployment of renewable energy in the future.

Demand Response

We're evaluating the potential value of demand response—any modification of end-use electricity load operation for the purpose of providing grid services—to future bulk power systems.