Renewable Energy and Grid Integration is a critical aspect of modern energy systems as the global energy transition accelerates towards clean, sustainable power sources. The integration of renewable energy—such as solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and biomass—into the existing power grid presents both opportunities and challenges. As the share of renewable energy grows, ensuring a stable, reliable, and efficient power supply requires innovative approaches to grid management, technology development, and policy design.

Renewable energy sources, especially wind and solar, are intermittent and variable in nature, creating the need for flexible grid systems that can adapt to fluctuations in supply and demand. This has spurred advancements in energy storage technologies, such as batteries, which store excess energy during periods of high generation and release it during times of lower production. These technologies are essential for smoothing out the inconsistencies of renewable power and ensuring a continuous, reliable energy flow.

Smart grids and advanced grid technologies also play a key role in enabling the seamless integration of renewables. These systems use real-time data, sensors, and automation to monitor and optimize energy flow, improving grid stability and resilience. With smart grid infrastructure, utilities can better manage decentralized energy sources, such as rooftop solar panels, and coordinate distributed energy resources (DERs) for more efficient energy use.

Key areas explored in this session include:

• Grid Stability and Flexibility: Strategies for maintaining grid reliability while incorporating intermittent renewable energy sources. This includes advancements in flexible power plants, demand response mechanisms, and real-time grid management.

• Energy Storage Technologies: The role of batteries, pumped hydro storage, and other storage solutions in balancing supply and demand, as well as supporting the integration of renewables by storing excess energy for later use.

• Distributed Energy Resources (DERs): The growing importance of decentralized power generation, such as residential solar panels and small-scale wind turbines, and their impact on the overall grid structure. Effective management and coordination of DERs are essential for maximizing their contribution to the grid.

• Grid Modernization and Smart Technologies: The use of smart meters, sensors, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) to optimize grid operations, enhance monitoring, and improve energy efficiency.

• Transmission and Distribution Systems: Upgrading transmission infrastructure to accommodate renewable energy generation, often located in remote areas, and developing long-distance, high-voltage transmission lines to transport clean energy to urban centers.

• Policy and Regulatory Frameworks: Government policies and regulatory frameworks that facilitate the integration of renewable energy into national grids, incentivizing investment in clean energy technologies and grid modernization.

The integration of renewable energy into the grid is essential for achieving global climate goals and decarbonizing the energy sector. This session will focus on the latest technological innovations, strategic planning, and policy frameworks that enable the seamless integration of renewables into the grid, ensuring reliable, sustainable energy for the future. Researchers, industry leaders, and policymakers will discuss the best practices and future trends for transforming the global energy grid.