Pumped hydroelectric energy storage and spatial diversity of wind resources as methods of improving utilization of renewable energy sources

Renewable energy generation is becoming more prevalent on today's electric grid. Part of the challenge of increasing the percentage of renewable energy beyond 20% will be dealing with the intermittent nature of renewable sources. The following thesis discusses two methods to integrate intermittent renewable energy onto the electric system. The methods are pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES) and optimizing wind generation utilizing spatial diversity. With regards to PHES, Colorado has many sites that could be considered for development. Opportunities exist to utilize infrastructure already in the ground as well as new construction. With regards to wind generation, if capacity development is optimized utilizing the complimentary production encountered with spatial diversity, some percentage of capacity developed becomes firm power. This thesis shows 5% of developed capacity is firm over 99% of the year. Additionally this analysis may be improved to increase the percentage of capacity which can be counted as firm.