Renewable grid support mechanisms - Renewable grid support mechanisms are policies and technologies designed to integrate intermittent resources like solar and wind power into national grids. Through ancillary services such as voltage control and reactive power compensation, these mechanisms enhance renewable energy stability and system efficiency.

The widespread integration of renewables in Latin America necessitates robust grid support mechanisms to maintain system reliability. The primary mechanism is the evolution of Grid Codes, which are mandatory technical standards requiring large-scale solar and wind projects to act as active grid participants rather than passive energy injectors. These updated codes often mandate features like low voltage ride-through (LVRT), synthetic inertia, and the ability to inject or absorb reactive power for voltage control.

Financial mechanisms complement the technical mandates. This includes capacity market payments that compensate renewable projects for their reliable contribution to the system's generation capacity (often firmed by co-located storage) and ancillary service market payments for services like frequency response.

Furthermore, regulatory frameworks are evolving to allow Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs) to participate equally with conventional generators in all ancillary service markets. Brazil, Chile, and Mexico are utilizing these mechanisms to transform intermittent renewable energy sources into reliable, grid-friendly assets, moving them from sources of instability to providers of essential system stability services.