Operation of the 2030 GB power generation system

A GB electricity generation system for 2030 with a large amount of renewables is studied. Its ability to meet projected 2030 demand on a half-hourly basis is investigated for two extreme weeks of the year: winter maximum demand and summer minimum demand. For each week, either operating costs or carbon dioxide emissions were optimised. The effects of a carbon price of £30/t or £75/t on the power production of different generating units, the carbon intensity and operating costs are shown. Load reduction through demand-side management during the winter maximum demand week was necessary for 10–15 h. During the summer minimum demand week, wind curtailment of 5 GWh occurred only when carbon dioxide emissions were optimised.