An Integrated Framework to Enhance Power and Gas Reliability Under High Renewable Penetration: Case of Saudi Arabia

This paper examines the complex operation and planning of the interdependencies between gas and power systems in the context of Saudi Arabia, where the future energy mix will be composed of renewable and gas, and will rely on a gas system with limited flexibility. An integrated planning framework combining power production cost modelling with dynamic gas hydraulic simulations is employed to generate concurrent "duck curves" for both electricity and gas demand. These simulations capture sub-hourly constraints and limitations across both networks allowing for the analysis of both the generation and reliability aspects of potential issues and migration strategies, thereby addressing both operational and planning risks.

The integrated planning framework accounts for cross-system constraints, enabling iterative simulations of power cost optimization that converge based on operational constraints on the gas system. This results in a dynamic feedback loop between the gas and power systems. The resulting gas demand fluctuations are mitigated by introducing additional flexibility on either side, guided by economic viability, through a combination of different options such as battery energy storage systems (BESS), line-pack, or electric demand-side management.

By leveraging assumptions on Saudi Arabia’s post-2030 power mix projections and examining the complex interplay between renewable integration and gas network operations, this paper identifies optimal investment strategies and operational practices for both power and gas networks to mitigate the impact of renewable intermittency. A secondary analysis was conducted over a full year of operation to evaluate the overall system cost associated with each mitigation strategy. This comprehensive approach assesses the economic value of flexibility and outlines suitable cost-recovery mechanisms.

This paper presents a comprehensive assessment of the impacts of high renewable penetration on Saudi Arabia’s gas infrastructure and proposes an innovative integrated approach to improve flexibility in coupled gas and power systems. The insights and recommendations contribute to the development of a robust planning framework that can guide the design and operation of more efficient and resilient energy systems, both within the Kingdom and in other regions facing similar challenges during their energy transition journey.