Renewable energy curtailment

Renewable energy curtailment is the deliberate reduction of electricity generation that wind, solar, or other renewable sources could otherwise provide. It occurs when power systems cannot or do not use all available renewable output.

Grid congestion: Grid congestion occurs when electricity flows exceed the capacity of a transmission or distribution line. A constrained line can prevent renewable electricity from reaching consumers, prompting operators to reduce generation.
Wind power: Wind power converts the kinetic energy of moving air into electricity, usually with turbines. Wind farms are curtailed when output exceeds local transmission capacity or system needs.
Levelized cost of electricity: Levelized cost of electricity estimates the average cost of generating electricity over a power plant’s lifetime. Curtailment reduces a project’s usable output, raising its effective cost per delivered unit.
Economic dispatch: Economic dispatch allocates generation among available power plants to meet demand at minimum operating cost. Dispatch selects output levels across plants; curtailment specifically reduces otherwise available renewable generation.
Electricity supply and demand: Electricity supply and demand must remain balanced continuously because large-scale storage is limited. When generation exceeds demand and flexibility, curtailment helps restore system balance.
Solar power: Solar power generates electricity from sunlight, most commonly using photovoltaic cells. High midday solar output can exceed demand or network capacity, leading to reduced generation.
Renewable energy credit: A renewable energy credit represents the environmental attributes of one unit of renewable electricity generation. Rules for credited generation determine whether curtailed electricity earns renewable certificates.
Demand response: Demand response changes electricity consumption in response to grid conditions, prices, or operator instructions. Demand response adjusts consumption to absorb or avoid surplus, whereas curtailment reduces generation.
Transmission system operator: A transmission system operator manages electricity transmission and maintains the balance and security of a power system. Operators instruct generators to curtail when network conditions threaten safe operation.
Renewable portfolio standard: A renewable portfolio standard requires utilities to obtain a specified share of electricity from renewable sources. Curtailment can affect how much renewable generation counts toward mandated supply targets.

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