/31^st May 2017, IEA/ The greater uptake of distributed VRE shifts the historic balance of supply and demand in the electricity network and calls for a revision of the institutional arrangements guiding low- and medium-voltage grids. The rise of distributed generation assets – dominated by the rapid uptake of solar PV – translates into the growing complexity of power flows within the distribution grid. This provokes the need for innovative approaches to the planning and operation of low- and medium-voltage grids, with technical, economic and institutional implications. On the technical side, more dynamic and bi-directional flows of electricity (from lower to higher voltage levels and vice versa) require reinforced monitoring and control capabilities as well as upgrades to infrastructure. Moreover, planning standards need upgrading to manage the uptake of large shares of distributed resources. In this context, next-generation VRE technology – such as advanced inverters – can offer technical capabilities to support and sustain safe and reliable operations in local power grids, while also reducing energy losses in the overall power system.

/10^th January 2017, IEA/ Wind and solar photovoltaics (PV) are currently the fastest-growing sources of electricity globally reveals IEA in their report Next Generation Wind and Solar Power - From cost to value. A “next-generation” phase of deployment is emerging, in which wind and solar PV are technologically mature and economically affordable. The success of variable renewable energy (VRE) is driving change in power systems around the globe. Electricity generation from both technologies is constrained by the varying availability of wind and sunshine, which causes fluctuations in the electricity output of VRE sources over time. As a result, changes to the way electricity generation and consumption are balanced may be required. The degree to which this poses a challenge depends on the interplay of several factors that vary by country.