Integration of distributed renewable energy sources in Israel: Transmission congestion challenges and policy recommendations

This paper studies congestion in the Israeli transmission network due to integration of renewable energy sources, and suggests policies to address this problem. We show through an extensive set of simulations that several key lines are overloaded and therefore energy sources cannot be added without risking the system's reliability. Moreover, additional renewable energy may be added by reducing production in conventional power plants at hours of peak solar power production. We also compare three scenarios of location and size of new solar plants, and show that the optimal distribution of these plants may reduce transmission line loads by several tens of percent. Lastly, this study demonstrates that line loads in areas with a high share of distributed renewable energy sources are not necessarily maximal during peak demand. As a consequence, the N−1 and N−2 contingency planning criteria should be updated accordingly. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for overcoming these problems, in order to promote integration of renewable energy sources in Israel.