Creating a Renewable Energy-Powered energy system: Extreme scenarios and Novel Solutions for Large-Scale renewable power Integration

Large-scale integration of renewable power, such as wind and solar power, is essential for achieving climate change mitigation goals and reducing an energy system's reliance on fossil fuels. This manuscript examines the integration of large-scale wind and solar power into Luxembourg's energy system, focusing on challenges such as variability, intermittency, and curtailment. The study explores scenarios incorporating power-to-heat (P2H) and vertical farming (VF) technologies to enhance system flexibility and facilitate the integration of renewable power. An energy balance model with hourly resolution optimises the energy system using a mixed-integer linear programming (MILP) algorithm. This algorithm operates individual plants based on various criteria for optimal performance. Key findings include the substantial impact of the right renewable power resource mix, revealing a potential 50% increase in renewable power consumption within the energy system. Curtailment management solutions can boost renewable power integration by up to 30%, underscoring the need for strategic, system-level approaches. Vertical farming can significantly increase the use of the surplus solar power production within system even as high as 100%. The integration of large-scale renewable power is feasible but requires a carefully designed approach, taking into account technological advancements and strategies.