IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/rensus/v97y2018icp509-528.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Solar energy curtailment in China: Status quo, reasons and solutions

Author

Listed:
  • Tang, Ningning
  • Zhang, Yuning
  • Niu, Yuguang
  • Du, Xiaoze

Abstract

Recently, parts of the solar energy (especially photovoltaic power station) could not be connected to power system, leading to a serious solar energy curtailment problem. Generally speaking, in 2017, 91.4% of the rejected solar energy occurs in the northwestern China with the total electricity reaching 6670 GW h. Because China is of a large amount of the installed solar capacity, the existing large-scale solar energy curtailment problem have greatly affected the development of the solar power industry (e.g. the investors' profits) and the long-term development of the China's clean energy policy. In this review, based on the statistical data released by the authorities, the current status of the solar energy curtailment are reviewed with a detailed analysis of the reasons from the aspects of power generation and electric grid. This review focuses on the cases of the two typical provinces (Gansu province and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region) with large-scale solar energy curtailment together with related analysis. Several practical solutions are also proposed to further relieve the problem in the near future. Detailed comparisons between different schemes are also given in order to help policy makers in China and also other countries for the further development of the solar power generation.

Suggested Citation

  • Tang, Ningning & Zhang, Yuning & Niu, Yuguang & Du, Xiaoze, 2018. "Solar energy curtailment in China: Status quo, reasons and solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 97(C), pages 509-528.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:97:y:2018:i:c:p:509-528
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rser.2018.07.021
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1364032118305288
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.rser.2018.07.021?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Zhang, Yuning & Liu, Kaihua & Xian, Haizhen & Du, Xiaoze, 2018. "A review of methods for vortex identification in hydroturbines," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 81(P1), pages 1269-1285.
    2. Hong, Bowen & Zhang, Weitong & Zhou, Yue & Chen, Jian & Xiang, Yue & Mu, Yunfei, 2018. "Energy-Internet-oriented microgrid energy management system architecture and its application in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 228(C), pages 2153-2164.
    3. Li, Canbing & Shi, Haiqing & Cao, Yijia & Wang, Jianhui & Kuang, Yonghong & Tan, Yi & Wei, Jing, 2015. "Comprehensive review of renewable energy curtailment and avoidance: A specific example in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 41(C), pages 1067-1079.
    4. Zhang, Dahai & Wang, Jiaqi & Lin, Yonggang & Si, Yulin & Huang, Can & Yang, Jing & Huang, Bin & Li, Wei, 2017. "Present situation and future prospect of renewable energy in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 865-871.
    5. Zhao, Xiaoli & Zhang, Sufang & Yang, Rui & Wang, Mei, 2012. "Constraints on the effective utilization of wind power in China: An illustration from the northeast China grid," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 16(7), pages 4508-4514.
    6. Zhang, Yuning & Tang, Ningning & Niu, Yuguang & Du, Xiaoze, 2016. "Wind energy rejection in China: Current status, reasons and perspectives," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 66(C), pages 322-344.
    7. Luo, Guo-liang & Li, Yan-ling & Tang, Wen-jun & Wei, Xiao, 2016. "Wind curtailment of China׳s wind power operation: Evolution, causes and solutions," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 53(C), pages 1190-1201.
    8. Ju, Xing & Xu, Chao & Han, Xue & Du, Xiaoze & Wei, Gaosheng & Yang, Yongping, 2017. "A review of the concentrated photovoltaic/thermal (CPVT) hybrid solar systems based on the spectral beam splitting technology," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C), pages 534-563.
    9. Bird, Lori & Lew, Debra & Milligan, Michael & Carlini, E. Maria & Estanqueiro, Ana & Flynn, Damian & Gomez-Lazaro, Emilio & Holttinen, Hannele & Menemenlis, Nickie & Orths, Antje & Eriksen, Peter Børr, 2016. "Wind and solar energy curtailment: A review of international experience," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 65(C), pages 577-586.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Dong, Changgui & Qi, Ye & Dong, Wenjuan & Lu, Xi & Liu, Tianle & Qian, Shuai, 2018. "Decomposing driving factors for wind curtailment under economic new normal in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 217(C), pages 178-188.
    2. Qi, Ye & Dong, Wenjuan & Dong, Changgui & Huang, Caiwei, 2019. "Understanding institutional barriers for wind curtailment in China," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 105(C), pages 476-486.
    3. Cui, Qi & Liu, Yu & Ali, Tariq & Gao, Ji & Chen, Hao, 2020. "Economic and climate impacts of reducing China's renewable electricity curtailment: A comparison between CGE models with alternative nesting structures of electricity," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).
    4. Chen, Hao & Chen, Jiachuan & Han, Guoyi & Cui, Qi, 2022. "Winding down the wind power curtailment in China: What made the difference?," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).
    5. Wang, Ying & Zhang, Dayong & Ji, Qiang & Shi, Xunpeng, 2020. "Regional renewable energy development in China: A multidimensional assessment," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    6. Rao, A. Gangoli & van den Oudenalder, F.S.C. & Klein, S.A., 2019. "Natural gas displacement by wind curtailment utilization in combined-cycle power plants," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 168(C), pages 477-491.
    7. Cui, Qi & He, Ling & Han, Guoyi & Chen, Hao & Cao, Juanjuan, 2020. "Review on climate and water resource implications of reducing renewable power curtailment in China: A nexus perspective," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 267(C).
    8. Zhang, Sufang & Andrews-Speed, Philip & Li, Sitao, 2018. "To what extent will China's ongoing electricity market reforms assist the integration of renewable energy?," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 165-172.
    9. Zhang, Yuhu & Ren, Jing & Pu, Yanru & Wang, Peng, 2020. "Solar energy potential assessment: A framework to integrate geographic, technological, and economic indices for a potential analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 577-586.
    10. Ye, Lin & Zhang, Cihang & Xue, Hui & Li, Jiachen & Lu, Peng & Zhao, Yongning, 2019. "Study of assessment on capability of wind power accommodation in regional power grids," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 647-662.
    11. Hu, Junfeng & Yan, Qingyou & Kahrl, Fredrich & Liu, Xu & Wang, Peng & Lin, Jiang, 2021. "Evaluating the ancillary services market for large-scale renewable energy integration in China's northeastern power grid," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    12. Yan Li & Ce Sun & Yu Jiang & Fang Feng, 2019. "Scaling Method of the Rotating Blade of a Wind Turbine for a Rime Ice Wind Tunnel Test," Energies, MDPI, vol. 12(4), pages 1-15, February.
    13. Xu, Fangqiu & Liu, Jicheng & Lin, Shuaishuai & Dai, Qiongjie & Li, Cunbin, 2018. "A multi-objective optimization model of hybrid energy storage system for non-grid-connected wind power: A case study in China," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 585-603.
    14. Kang, Dongju & Kang, Doeun & Hwangbo, Sumin & Niaz, Haider & Lee, Won Bo & Liu, J. Jay & Na, Jonggeol, 2023. "Optimal planning of hybrid energy storage systems using curtailed renewable energy through deep reinforcement learning," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    15. Song, Zhe & Liu, Jia & Yang, Hongxing, 2021. "Air pollution and soiling implications for solar photovoltaic power generation: A comprehensive review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 298(C).
    16. Wu, Geng & Wang, Haojing & Wu, Qingguo, 2020. "Wind power development in the Belt and Road area of Xinjiang, China: Problems and solutions," Utilities Policy, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).
    17. Muhirwa, Alexis & Li, Biao & Su, Wen-Tao & Liu, Quan-Zhong & Binama, Maxime & Wu, Jian & Cai, Wei-Hua, 2020. "Investigation on mutual traveling influences between the draft tube and upstream components of a Francis turbine unit," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 973-992.
    18. Gao, Dan & Li, Zheng & Liu, Pei & Zhao, Jiazhu & Zhang, Yuning & Li, Canbing, 2018. "A coordinated energy security model taking strategic petroleum reserve and alternative fuels into consideration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 171-181.
    19. Zhang, Dayong & Zhang, Zhiwei & Ji, Qiang & Lucey, Brian & Liu, Jia, 2021. "Board characteristics, external governance and the use of renewable energy: International evidence," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 72(C).
    20. Gou, Xing & Chen, Qun & Hu, Kang & Ma, Huan & Chen, Lei & Wang, Xiao-Hai & Qi, Jun & Xu, Fei & Min, Yong, 2018. "Optimal planning of capacities and distribution of electric heater and heat storage for reduction of wind power curtailment in power systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 160(C), pages 763-773.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:rensus:v:97:y:2018:i:c:p:509-528. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/600126/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.