INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY

AGENCY

Grid integration for renewables in SIDS

Francisco GafaroKing Island, 18 November 2015

This presentation

• IRENA

• The transformation of the power systems

• The challenges

• Grid modelling studies

• Case studies

2

The Voice, Advisory Resource and Knowledge Hub for 170 Governments

International Renewable Energy

Agency

IRENA work is driven by member country demand, typical questions include:

What quality criteria should be introduce in our TOR for new VRE capacity ?

How much VRE is feasible in our grid ?

Should we invest in storage ?

Can you prove that VRE makes economic sense for us ?

What is best practice abroad in enabling policy framework design ?

Launched on 23 September 2014 at the Climate SummitSTRATEGIC OBJECTIVE:• Enabling a sustainable energy transformation for people on the front line of climate change on

small islands around the world

• Enhancing energy independence and economic prosperity on SIDS

SIDS Lighthouses Initiative overview

4

57 (SIDS), 38 UN members in 3 geographical zones

Over 60 million people,

90 TWh electricity consumption per year,

29 GW of installed generation (only in UN members)

The global transformation

of the power systems

5

1

Competitiveness of renewables

increases continuously …

7

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

2005 2010 2014

Conventional Other renewables Wind Solar PV

VARIABLE

RENEWABLE

ENERGY

… and their share in the total electricity

production is increasing2015:

50-55 GW solar PV 200 GW installed capacity worldwide

55-58 GW wind installed 400 GW installed capacity worldwide

Power systems don’t look the same

anymore

8

around 30.000 plants around 1.500.000 plantsaround 220.000 plants

2000 2006 2014

Wind Photovoltaics Biomass

Source: 50Hertz Source: 50Hertz Source: 50Hertz

The transformation is not only

happening in large systems …

Different sizes Different resources

Different stakeholders Different

solutions!

http://www.kingislandrenewableenergy.com.au/

The challenges

10

2

Seconds

Years

Impact

Groups.

11

Properties of VRE and challenges

Stability, Voltage,

Frequency Response Non-Synchronous

Unit commitment

ReservesUncertainty

Abundance

Scarcity

Asset Utilization

Short Term Changes

Variability

Location Constraints

Modularity

VRE PROPERTIES

Voltage

Control

Frequency

Response

Frequency

Control

Generation

Adequacy

IMP

AC

TS

DE

PE

ND

ON

SY

ST

EM

CH

AR

AC

TE

RIS

TIC

S

Source: IRENA, adapted from IEA, S. Muller

T&D Grid

Adequacy

Voltage

Control

The challenges and the tools for SIDS

Planning is a key word !

Issues

Stability and reliability | Operation

New investments: RE, grid, storage, control

Tariffs |IPP regulation | Standards

DIMENSIONS

Technical Economical Policy and regulation

13

Challenges for operation in islands

Each system is different and requires its own assessment! Listed characteristics and

challenges do not apply to all islands!

Non-

Synchronous

Fast variations

(sec. to min.)Uncertainty

Longer term

variations

(daily)

Location

Low Inertia

Rapid

frequency

response

Rapid

frequency

response

Adequacy of governor

action (Capability to

deploy available

headroom)

Rapid

frequency

response

Rapid

frequency

response

Non-automated frequency

regulation (no AGC)Regulation Regulation

Flexibility constrains on

existing generation fleet

Adequate

reserve

allocation

Adequate

reserve

allocation Load following

Load

following

Weak electrical networks

Voltage control

/ Transient

stability

Voltage control /

Power quality

Smaller geographical

area

Rapid

frequency

response

Isla

nd S

yste

m C

hara

cte

ristics

VRE Characteristics

Grid studies

14

3

15

Planning tools, analytical assessments,help to answer the following questions:

How much VRE can be integrated without major system upgrades?

Is it feasible to achieve the target shares of VRE?

What is required to achieve the target shares of VRE?

Depend on the characteristics of the island system and the target share of VRE

Target medium to large size islands (MW scale) where integration takes place

gradually and mutiple stakeholders are involved

Grid Studies are based on different type of computer simulations of the grid

operation

To do a study requires:

Accurate and sufficient input information

Tools

Engagement from authorities and the utilities

Grid modelling studies for islands

16

Grid modelling studies process

17

Grid modelling studies process

Concluded Studies

Samoa 1

Cook Islands (Aitutaki)

Antigua & Barbuda

Palau

Ongoing or coordination started

Samoa 2

Kiribati (collaboration with PPA)

Fiji

Reviews requested by governments

Barbados (April 2015), Seychelles (ongoing)

Study cases:

18

Integration studies in association with energy authorities and network operators

supporting evaluation of impacts and Operation & Expansion planning of the grid

Peak demand around 20 MW

Annual electricity consumption around

115 GWha

Integration of c.a. 14 MW of PV to be

assessed

Around 11 MW of PV under PPA with 3

different IPP

Support identification of measures to

maximize use of hydro and PV projects

Diesel power station provides frequency

regulation (AGC) and voltage control

New wind projects planned, updated

studies will be required

Study case Upolu - Samoa -

background

19

19

FIAGAF/S

L/MTAF

4MW

8MW

5MW

30MW

DIESEL

2.7MW

Load

3.5MW 4

MW

TANU

33 kV

22 kV

Upolu 2014

Hydro

Map Data ©2015 Google

FIAGAF/S

L/MTAF

5MW

8.5MW

5.7MW

6.7MW

Load

3.5MW

TANU

33 kV

22 kV

Upolu 2017

Hydro

5MW

30MW

DIESEL4

MW

7MW

Map Data ©2015 Google

20

Study case Upolu - Samoa - findings

AlternativeMeasures to guarantee secure

operationSecurity

Constraints

#1 (Minor-Impact

Solutions)

At least two diesel units online at all times

Voltage control capabilities in all PV plants with ±0.95 power factor

Blackout after loss of generation or demand, or after

fault

#2 (Mid-Impact Solutions)

Solutions applied in #1

Adjustment of UFLS settingsOutput power reduction in case of overfrequency (new PV plants)FRT capability (new PV plants)

All security criteria fulfilled

#2(Major-Impact

Solutions)

Solutions applied in #2

3.5 Mvar reactive power compensation 2 MW power storage deviceAGC control includes hydro units

All security criteria fulfilled

Pote

ntia

l !

Main performance criteria steady

state:

• Voltage normal conditions

within +/- 5 % nominal

• Voltage within +/- 10 % after

contingency

Main performance criteria

dynamic:

• Avoid UFLS activation due to

fast fluctuations of PV

• Avoid activation of generator

protection (blackout) after

contingency

Antigua

Peak load around 50 MW

Annual electricity consumption around

350 GWha

Over 100 MW of installed diesel

capacity

160 GWha purchased under PPA

Assessment impact of 9 MW of PV

and 18 MW of wind (government

projects)

Identification of maximum capacity of

the network to host PV systems

Study case Antigua - background

21

Map Data ©2015 Google

22

Study case Antigua – findings

• Performance criteria fulfilled without major

updates in the grid

• Changes in reserve allocation practices

required

• Utility not willing to allocate contingency

reserves

• Stability of the system relays on load

shedding scheme

• Grid support functions provided by utility

scale PV and wind are crucial: Reactive

power control capability, FRT, Over

• frequency response

• Frequency range of operation of utility scale

PV and wind must be the same from

protection settings of diesel generators

• Automatic generation control recommended

Lessons learned

23

The approach has evolved from “grid stability studies” to grid operation planning

The deployment of high shares of variable renewables is a long journey

Technical assessment of the grid integration is part of the journey and should

not be isolated from the other planning activities

Each island is a unique case. Particularities define approach required for

assessments

Grid integration assessments are a continuous / iterative process

The biggest challenges are data collection and communication of messages

Coordination of support activities among engaged developing partners is crucial

www.irena.org

Thank you very much!!

Francisco Gafaro

fgafaro@irena.org