Can storage support 100% renewable electricity futures in Southeast Asia?

This study is the first to explore the benefits of utilising STORES as a primary storage medium to support 100% renewable electricity futures in Southeast Asia. STORES can facilitate high penetration of variable solar and wind energy in electricity systems through energy time shifting and load levelling.

Is wind energy a viable alternative to solar energy in Southeast Asia?

Consequently, the integration of wind energy can substantially reduce the reliance on energy storage to stabilise the electricity systems when solar energy is not sufficient. However, compared with solar energy, the seasonal variability in wind energy in Southeast Asia is large.

Does Southeast Asia have a high penetration of solar and wind energy resources?

The results show that, with support provided by STORES, the Southeast Asian electricity industry can achieve very high penetration (78%–97%) of domestic solar and wind energy resources. The levelised costs of electricity range from 55 to 115 U.S. dollars per megawatt-hour based on 2020 technology costs.

What are the capacity limits on wind energy development in Southeast Asia?

The capacity limits on wind energy development in each Southeast Asian country were decided based on the GW figures included in an NREL report : 69 GW in Cambodia, 13 GW in Laos, 482 GW in Myanmar, 217 GW in the Philippines, 239 GW in Thailand and 311 GW in Vietnam.

Does short-term off-River energy storage support 100% renewable electricity in Southeast Asia?

Rapid increases in electricity consumption in Southeast Asia caused by rising living standards and population raise concerns about energy security, affordability and environmental sustainability. In this study, the role of short-term off-river energy storage (STORES) in supporting 100% renewable electricity in Southeast Asia is investigated.

How long does energy storage last in Southeast Asia?

Within all the scenarios, the duration of storage is in the range of 0–38 h, which means hours or days of short-term energy storage are required in Southeast Asia rather than weeks or months of long-term, seasonal energy storage.