Future-proofed resource adequacy metrics: A model-based assessment of multi-metric vs. composite-metric reliability standards

P. Brito-Pereira, K. Bruninx, L.J. de Vries, P. Mastropietro, P. Rodilla

Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks Vol. 44, pp. 101957

Summary:

The rapid decarbonisation of the power sector is challenging the traditional resource adequacy framework. Variable and energy-limited resources are driving the emergence of new correlations that, together with extreme weather events, are rapidly changing the expected scarcity conditions in the electricity system. Traditional resource adequacy metrics are showing their limitations under these new conditions, and many regulators have already started to reform them. This article presents the first model-based comparative analysis of two different approaches that have been proposed to overcome these limitations, i.e., multi-metric standards (imposing a set of different resource adequacy constraints) and composite-metric standards (combining different resource adequacy metrics through weighting factors to build a single reliability standard). These two approaches are quantitatively evaluated in this article through case studies obtained from a simulation model, focusing not only on the impact of the reliability standard on the resource mix, but also on the design of the reliability product to be traded in a capacity mechanism to guide the system towards that mix.

Spanish layman's summary:

Este artículo presenta un análisis comparativo de objetivos de fiabilidad basados en métricas múltiples y métricas compuestas, centrándose también en el impacto en las ratios de firmeza en el mecanismo de capacidad.

English layman's summary:

This article presents a model-based comparative analysis of multi-metric and composite-metric standards in resource adequacy assessments, focusing also on the impact on de-rating factors and capacity accreditation.

Keywords: Resource adequacy; Reliability standard; Capacity mechanism; De-rating factor; Multi-metric; Composite metrics

JCR-JIF Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 5,700 - Q1 (2025)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.segan.2025.101957

Published on paper: December 2025.

Published on-line: September 2025.

Citation:
P. Brito-Pereira, K. Bruninx, L.J. de Vries, P. Mastropietro, P. Rodilla, "Future-proofed resource adequacy metrics: A model-based assessment of multi-metric vs. composite-metric reliability standards", Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks, Vol. 44, pp. 101957, December 2025. [Online: September 2025] doi: 10.1016/j.segan.2025.101957