Modeling, Optimization and Large-scale Grid Integrations of Solar Photovoltaic Energy in Ontario's Electricity System

Modern societies' increasing demand for and reliance on energy, primarily supplied by fossil fuels, and the resulting carbon dioxide emissions that lead to climate change is a complex issue with significant implications for the future well-being of society and the environment. Decoupling economic activity and energy production from carbon is essential to effectively deal with both issues simultaneously. Solar photovoltaic (PV) electricity has the potential to help meet future energy demands while significantly reducing the climate impact of energy production; however, large-scale integration of solar PV into existing electricity systems presents technical challenges that must be addressed if solar is to contribute to a sustainable energy future. This thesis presents four research modules that form a comprehensive evaluation of the technical and economic feasibility of integrating renewable energy, specifically solar PV energy, into the Ontario electricity system. The findings indicate that solar PV can supply a significant portion (8-30%) of total electricity supply if substantial changes are made to the existing grid. Specifically, energy storage and more flexible supply are required to deal with increased ramping rate requirements. As the effects of global warming and peak oil become apparent, and as new technologies for smart grids and distributed generation are introduced into the grid, it will be useful to have a comprehensive understanding of how to plan for the integration of renewables from an electricity generation perspective. The research in this thesis is a thorough analysis of one aspect of solar PV deployment that will be useful to encourage grid integration. This research can be combined with similar assessments by others of storage, demand management, wind and biomass energy sources to give a comprehensive understanding of how to plan energy generation investments to sustainably meet future needs.Ph.D