As with most renewable energy power plants, the renewable power plant is part of an energy portfolio that would include the traditional power plants in addition to the new renewable energy plants. In general, Nuclear and Coal make up the base generation while Natural Gas and Hydro plants make up the peak generation.
As it now stands, the system operator (the entity that schedules which power plants turn on at what times) schedules the renewable plant to be generating at all possible times (weather permitting). The output of wave, wind, and solar plants can be fairly predictable from as little as 6 hours in advance to 1 week. Wave energy resource in particular can be predicted as much further in advance as large waves in Northern Scotland are usually caused by storm systems in the Mid Atlantic.
Another bit to add to the mix is the consideration of capacity credit. Basically, we will need more Natural Gas and Hydro power plants in places like the UK as more and more renewable power plants are installed (i.e. 50% of total energy portfolio from renewables). Basically, for every 1000 MW wind farm, a 900-950 MW peaker plant needs to be available or built if not already in the system. Google "Capacity Credit" or just check out this article here: http://www.wind-energy-the-facts.org/en/part-2-grid-integration/chapter-6-wind-power-contribution-to-system-adequacy/capacity-credit-of-wind-power/capacity-credit-values-of-wind-power.html.
Finally, "well done" goes out to the engineers of Aquamarine. They continue to get funding, design, and build prototypes. I am glad to see the enthusiasm for their work.
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As with most renewable energy power plants, the renewable power plant is part of an energy portfolio that would include the traditional power plants in addition to the new renewable energy plants. In general, Nuclear and Coal make up the base generation while Natural Gas and Hydro plants make up the peak generation. As it now stands, the system operator (the entity that schedules which power plants turn on at what times) schedules the renewable plant to be generating at all possible times (weather permitting). The output of wave, wind, and solar plants can be fairly predictable from as little as 6 hours in advance to 1 week. Wave energy resource in particular can be predicted as much further in advance as large waves in Northern Scotland are usually caused by storm systems in the Mid Atlantic. Another bit to add to the mix is the consideration of capacity credit. Basically, we will need more Natural Gas and Hydro power plants in places like the UK as more and more renewable power plants are installed (i.e. 50% of total energy portfolio from renewables). Basically, for every 1000 MW wind farm, a 900-950 MW peaker plant needs to be available or built if not already in the system. Google "Capacity Credit" or just check out this article here: http://www.wind-energy-the-facts.org/en/part-2-grid-integration/chapter-6-wind-power-contribution-to-system-adequacy/capacity-credit-of-wind-power/capacity-credit-values-of-wind-power.html. Finally, "well done" goes out to the engineers of Aquamarine. They continue to get funding, design, and build prototypes. I am glad to see the enthusiasm for their work.