Cheng X.H., Markandu D.R., How B.S., Andiappan V., 2025, Optimising Energy Transitions: Assessing Renewable Energy Integrations with Grid Limitations, Chemical Engineering Transactions, 120, 31-36.
Achieving high shares of renewable energy requires not only policy ambition but also adequate grid infrastructure to support the intermittency of variable renewable energy generation. This study presents a multiperiod, multi-node energy planning model to develop data-driven energy transition strategies by examining how varying levels of grid readiness influence the installed capacity mix of the energy system and its implications on the total operational cost required. Applied to a Malaysian case study, this paper evaluates the influence on long-term investment decisions under two scenarios (1) with grid enhancement (grid-enhanced case) and (2) without grid enhancement (grid-constrained case). Results show that without grid enhancement, the national grid will constrain solar capacity expansion between 2046 and 2050. As a result, in the absence of timely grid enhancement, the system will rely more heavily on natural gas, resulting in 1.98 MtCO2 higher emissions and approximately USD 35 B higher operational costs required over 25-year period. These findings underscore the importance of aligning infrastructure investments with renewable energy goals to support a sustainable energy transition.
