Wind-plus-storage integration in emerging markets – a GIS-driven proof-of-concept for Papua New Guinea

Developing nations are facing market, regulatory, and monetary issues that often prevent them from being on the cutting edge of the energy industry. Climate commitments set forth by international cooperation like the Paris Agreement are calling for countries to decarbonize their energy infrastructure. The International Finance Corporation (IFC) predicts that much of the development in the renewable energy sector is poised to come from developing nations; this is where the greatest opportunities lie for systemic change. This study will highlight the shifting trend towards wind-plus-storage, the development cycle of disruptive technologies, key characteristics of wind-plus-storage projects, and a discussion on best practices to stimulate market demand, technological innovation, and associated regulations. A case study in Oceania, in Papua New Guinea was constructed using ArcGIS as a proof of concept to highlight data that can be leveraged to preliminarily identify high potential sites for wind-plus-storage project development. A detailed map was revealed and the different wind-plus-storage options for future project development were found. It has not been studied so far how a wind-plus-storage project can contribute to more holistic energy systems in emerging markets, such as in the case of Papua New Guinea.