1. NEWSLETTER
2nd Edition
July 2014
Research Overview 2 & 3
News Headlines 4 & 5
Research Success 6 & 7
Outputs & Outreach 8 & 9
Events Reports 10 & 11
International Activity 12
The annual showcase event, the ERC/SEES Symposium will take place on 9th October 2014 with the
theme of “Your role in a Sustainable Energy System”. The presentation topics will range from efficiency to
distribution (renewables and grid) to transmission (interconnection/European markets) and energy policy
(EU market, market design, and demand management). There will also be an international collaboration
session featuring academics from DTU and KU Leuven. Our industry members will be actively involved
on the day including EirGrid, ESB, Bord Gáis, SSE, Glen Dimplex and others. And of course the symposium
wouldn’t be complete without presentations and posters by our own PhD students, for which prizes will be
given. We look forward to seeing you there!
ERC/SEES SYMPOSIUM 2014
Since our first newsletter in 2013 there have been many important and exciting
developments in all aspects of our activity, internally and externally. The most
significant development is the establishment of the UCD Energy Institute and
we are busy integrating the ERC within this broader energy research initiative. In
particular we are working within UCD and nationally to form a national research
activity around Energy Systems Integration (ESI). With our European colleagues in
particular Technical University of Denmark (DTU) & KU Leuven, we are establishing
ESI within the European Energy Research Alliance and with our European and US
collaborators in particular the US National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL)
we are building the International Institute of Energy Systems integration (www.iiesi.
org). There is always a danger that these more strategic activities distract from
our day-to-day business but I am very pleased that our core activities are thriving
under the leadership of my academic colleagues from UCD, TCD,ESRI, UL and NUI
Maynooth. I am very grateful to all of them for their efforts over the past year and in particular to our new
arrivals Federico Milano, Paula Carroll and James O’Donnell who have integrated exceptionally well and I
am looking forward to the arrival of Geertje Schuitema. Claire Cullen and Kerrie Sheehan have also joined
us to strengthen our administrative support team. Andrew Deeks, the new president of UCD, is also a very
welcome arrival and in his short time here has had a significant positive influence. We have had tens of new
researchers join is during the year, many from outside Ireland and this is dramatically increasing our diversity
in a very positive way. We have had a high number of research visitors which is a very healthy trend and
underlines our international reputation. The researchers are forming an excellent team and have initiated
many of their own activities for example the IEEE –PES Student Chapter. The highlight for me personally is
our undergraduate Energy Needs Ireland programme and the 2013 cohort lived up to all my expectations,
the 2015 cohort have a hard act to follow. The highlight for the ERC/SEES is our annual symposium which
in May 2013 was a great success and I look forward to seeing you all at our 2014 symposium which will be
help on the 9th October 2014, see you there.
Mark O’Malley, Director Electricity Research Centre and UCD Energy Institute
3. Published References
Deane, J.P., Drayton, G. and Ó Gallachóir, B.P. (2013) Sub-Hourly Modelling in Power
Systems with Significant Levels of Renewable Generation, Applied Energy.
Walsh, D., O’Sullivan, K., Lee, W. and Devine, M. (2013) When to Invest in Carbon Capture and
Storage Technology: A Mathematical Model, Energy Economics.
Curtis, J., Pentecost, A., Lyons, S., Morgenroth, E. and di Cosmo, V. (2013) Towards a Green Net
National Product for Ireland, EPA Strive Report Strive Report 103.
Di Cosmo, V. and Malaguzzi, L. (2012) The Incentive to Invest in Thermal Plants in the Presence
of Wind Generation, ESRI Working Paper No. 446.
Farrell, N. and Lyons S. (2014) The distributional impact of the Irish public service obligation levy on electricity consumption, MPRA
Paper No. 53488
Hyland, M. and Leahy, E. and Tol, R. (2012) The potential for segmentation of the retail market for electricity in Ireland, ESRI Working
Paper No. 433.
Some of our work takes a pan-European perspective. For example, Marie Hyland is using econometrics
to, identify the effects of specific regulatory and market design features on electricity markets throughout
Europe. Walsh et al. (2013) bring an analytical approach to the study of how policy risk deters investment,
investigating the optimal time to invest in carbon capture and storage technology. They find that the
appropriate time to invest depends heavily on how much certainty climate policy measures provide about
future carbon prices.
Other research looks more closely at Ireland and the UK. Using Plexos, a market simulation tool, Curtis
et al. (2013) determine that the carbon floor adopted in UK generates a substantial carbon leakage from
Ireland. Deane et al. (2013) also use Plexos to compare electricity prices and margins between Ireland
and GB from 2008 to 2011. They find that GB wholesale prices are too low to encourage new investment
in generation. This does not imply that electricity companies are making losses, as the retail margin in GB is
large enough to cover the costs of generating and delivering electricity.
The European target on renewables has also affected Irish generation, and several studies focus on the
impact of wind on the Irish system. Di Cosmo and Malaguzzi (2012) use both simulations and econometric
analysis to assess the impact of wind generation on the incentive to invest in thermal power plants, whereas
Farrell and Lyons (2014) explore alternative feed-in tariff structures designed to meet renewables targets at
lowest cost to consumers.
In order to identify the effects of wind generation on the Irish market, O’Mahoney uses historical data
to determine the correlation between wind generation, CO2 emissions and electricity prices. Di Cosmo
and Malaguzzi (2012) extend the analysis and determine that wind has a significant, albeit small, effect on
system shadow prices and a significant negative effect on CO2 emissions. Hyland et al. (2012) analyse the
segmentation of retail customer profitability with time of use pricing, finding that customer segmentation is
likely to have more to do with total household demand than other household characteristics.
The research strand works on some exciting aspects of the energy
sector and electricity markets, continually publishing high quality reports
like the Strive Report compiled for the Environmental Protection Agency
by John Curtis, Anne Pentecost, Seán Lyons, Edgar Morgenroth and
Valeria di Cosmo.
The Markets and Regulation strand is headed by Associate Research Professor at TCD Dr Seán Lyons,
and continues to produce top quality research focusing on electricity markets from both theoretical and
empirical viewpoints. Seán heads the ESRI Programme of Research in Communications and is a specialist in
applied microeconomics, with a particular focus on regulated sectors and policy modelling. This article by
Valeria di Cosmo and Seán Lyons describes some of the work being undertaken by the research programme.
Dr Seán Lyons, Valeria di Cosmo
We see great benefits from using different methods to address the same
type of problem, for example econometrics may be used to examine a
problem typically tackled using simulation modelling, or analytical tools may
be applied to problems that have been addressed numerically up to now.
The EU is integrating European power markets by adopting the Target
Model, which is not compatible with the current Single Electricity Market
design. Several current projects in this strand consider how aspects of
electricity market design and institutions can affect prices, profits, security
of supply and emissions.
STRIVE Report: John Curtis,
Anne Pentecost, Seán Lyons,
Edgar Morgenroth, Valeria di
Cosmo
Research Overview
An example of the impact our research is having is seen in the citation
of the article ‘When to invest in carbon capture and storage technology:
A mathematical model’ written by Darragh Walsh in collaboration with
MACSI researchers, Walsh, D.M., K. O’Sullivan, W.T. Lee and M.T.Devine,
2014. This article is cited in the Government’s “Public Consultation on the
Low Carbon Roadmap for the Electricity Generation Sector.”
4. Latest News
At the launch of the UCD Energy Institute are Dr
Hugh Brady, then UCD President, An Taoiseach Enda
Kenny TD and David O’Reilly, Chair UCD Energy
Advisory Board
The UCD Energy Institute will be led by Professor
Mark O’Malley as Director and Paddy Teahon as
Executive Director. The Strategy for the Institute was
developed by the UCD Energy Advisory Board led
by David O’Reilly, UCD graduate and former CEO
of Chevron. It builds on the reputation of UCD as
a leading centre for energy research, in particular
UCD’s Electricity Research Centre supported by
leading energy companies and its Petroleum
Geosciences research supported by Tullow Oil and
other oil industry companies and groups.
David O’Reilly, Chair, Energy Advisory Board,
UCD added, “I am delighted that the Institute is
now up and running. I am confident that it will
attract high calibre researchers who will help
propel Ireland to a leadership position in energy
research.”
The UCD Energy Institute was formally launched by the Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D. at Government
Buildings on September 18th 2013. The Institute has attracted donor funding of €5m and substantial
additional funding from industry.
The Institute will concentrate its research on Energy Systems Integration, which provides the basis for
enhanced energy performance, reduced cost and minimises environmental impact – a challenge across
the world. The Institute will partner in a major national initiative designed to produce a fully operational Smart
Grid Network Test Bed in close collaboration with Ireland’s electricity transmission and distribution system
operators EirGrid and ESB Networks. The Test Bed will also provide opportunities for further collaboration
with national and international companies in the energy sector and in the ICT sector. The integration of
renewable energy to electricity grids is a strategically important research area for Ireland given its wealth
of renewable energy resources and Ireland’s electricity grid is uniquely positioned to be utilised as an
international location for testing new technologies.
The new Institute will host over 200 world class energy researchers working in partnership with industry
and the energy policy community and builds on prior research investments by SFI, EI, EU and importantly,
industry in this area. Dr Hugh Brady, then President of UCD said, “Energy research is a strategic priority for
UCD and establishing the UCD Energy Institute reflects of our on-going commitment to this important area.
This is a highly competitive field internationally and we are proud of our research leaders who have built
a strong reputation for research excellence on the world stage that can now realise benefits for Ireland.”
The Taoiseach, Enda Kenny, T.D. said “We are at an exciting juncture in energy research. With the right
ideas, talent and support, the next decade has the potential to be transformative in how Ireland produces,
uses and transmits energy. UCD’s new Energy Institute will prove an invaluable resource in solving our
energy challenges and realising new opportunities. This initiative clearly demonstrates the ability of our
public institutions to work together and with other stakeholders in pursuit of common goals and scientific
excellence. The Government will continue to support investment in science, technology and innovation
through our Action Plan for Jobs.”
5. Professor Federico Milano
In June of 2013 the ERC
welcomed new Associate
Professor Federico Milano
who now leads the
modelling strand. Federico
studied in the University
of Genoa, Italy, and was
awarded a degree in
Electrical Engineering
and a PhD in Electrical
Engineering in 1999 and
2003 respectively. He then
spenttwoyearsasaVisiting
Scholar in the University
of Waterloo Canada
in the Department of
Electrical and Computer
Engineering. He has
recently joined UCD as
Associate Professor from
University of Castilla-La
Mancha, Spain where he
worked for ten years.
Federico has authored
two books and over 50
academic papers. He is
editor of four international
journals, including the
IEEE Transactions on
Power Systems. His current
teaching and research
interests are power
systems modelling control
and stability analysis.
Dr James O’ Donnell
James joined the school
of Mechanical and
Materials engineering in
2013 and is a member of
the end use strand. His
original degree was in
Civil and Environmental
Engineering and he has
a Ph.D. in holistic building
performance analysis from
University College Cork.
Prior to this appointment,
he worked as a senior
Scientific Engineering
Associate in the Building
Technology and Urban
Systems Department of
the Lawrence Berkeley
National Laboratory.
His current work focuses
on the development
and deployment of
interoperabledatamodels
to support optimum
building operation
underpinned by Building
Information Models and
whole building energy
simulation tools.
Dr Paula Carroll
Paula has been actively
participating in the
modelling strand of the
SEES cluster since June of
2013. While she has been
a lecturer in UCD since
2003, her original electrical
engineering degree is
from DIT Kevin Street. She
was awarded an MSc
in Computer Science
from DCU and also has a
Masters in Management
Science from the Smurfit
School of Business in UCD.
Paula’s PhD was in the
field of Combinational
Optimisation. She is
currently the Academic
Coordinator of the
Bachelor of Commerce
International programme.
Latest News
Dr Geertje Schuitema currently at Aarhus
University in Denmark will be joining the
Business School as a lecturer specialising in
Consumer Adoptiong of Energy Technology
and is the first of many new hires in the
emerging UCD Energy Institute.
Upcoming Arrivals
6. The ERC intend to use the system as
a platform for investigation of the
interaction between proposed power
system hardware and the grid. The
system also comes with a scaled
hardware version of a wind turbine,
which can be used as a basis for
studying the interactions between the
turbine and the grid.
Dr Terence O’Donnell and Dr Ronan Meere using the real
time digital simulator to replicate and analyse hardware
paired with a simulation of a power system in real time.
In September of 2013 the ERC officially commenced work on the evolvDSO project which is funded by the
European Commission under the seventh framework programme (FP7). The project seeks to identify the
new distribution system operator roles that will facilitate the evolution of the distribution system to facilitate
the full emergence of distribution generation and smart load technologies.
The project consortium consists of 16 partners, joining 12 of the most progressive European DSOs with TSOs
and academia across eight countries. It is anticipated that the ERC contribution will be most prominent in
the development of new distribution planning tools to address the issues and gaps identified in the initial
stages of the project. Dr Andrew Keane and Dr Paul Cuffe will lead the research for us collaborating with ESB
Networks. New distribution system operational approaches will be validated
both with computer simulation and on real-life test networks with a particular
focus on real time simulation using the new Opal-RT real-time digital simulator.
The results of the evolvDSO project will drive the implementation of the
European Electric Grid Initiave roadmap and ultimately provide a significant
aid in reaching EU climate targets.
If you would like more information on
this project or if you are interested in
collaborating with us please email
terence.odonnell@ucd.ie.
Professor Mark O’Malley and Dr. Terence O’ Donnell were recently the recipients of an
SFI Research Infrastructure award for the purchase of a real time digital simulator with
hardware in the loop test capability.
The Real Time Digital Simulator is a parallel computer system with multiple input/outputs
allowing it to be connected to and control external hardware and equipment directly
from the simulation. A typical application of such a system is the testing of “hardware
in the loop”. This typically involves the connection of real power systems hardware to
a simulation of the power system running on the real time simulator. Signals can be
exchanged between the simulation and the hardware in real time, i.e. the simulation
can send signals to the hardware to control its operation and the resulting response of
the hardware can be fed back to the simulation, thus changing the simulation. This is all
achieved in real time, i.e. as if the hardware were connected to an actual power network.
In this way the operation of power systems hardware and its interaction with the grid can
be investigated and tested in a controlled environment before actual connection to the
grid. Examples of applications might include the testing of protection equipment, the
Research Success
7. Dr James O’Donnell and Prof Federico Milano were
awarded individual Marie Curie Career Integration
Grants(CIG) for their respective research. James’
project enables collaborative stakeholders
interaction for the purposes of optimised Building Life
Cycle (BLC) performance analysis, in a physical and
virtual environment called Performance Framework
Platform (PFP) through semantic web technology.
Federico received the grant for his research titled,
‘Modelling and Stability of Electric Power Systems
considering Stochastic Processes and Distributed
Control’. The CIG is a contribution of €100,00 towards
research costs over a four-year period.
PhD student Muireann Lynch was selected as an award recipient of the Intel Doctoral Student Programme
for 2013-2014. This programme awards fellowships to exceptional PhD candidates pursuing leading-edge
innovation in fields related to Intel’s business and research interests in the European Union and Switzerland.
Muireann received the award due to her research, ‘Sustainable low-risk generation in liberalised
interconnected electricity markets’.
Dr Peter Richardson and Dr Andrew Keane from
the Systems Analysis Strand in were awarded an
Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund grant
to carry out a project entitled ‘Smart Control of
Wind Farms’. The objective of the project is to
develop novel smart control solutions for wind
farms, which will enable power systems to more
successfully incorporate additional wind energy
resource technologies to existing grid infrastructure.
The Commercialisation Fund Programme supports
researchers to undertake research that has the
potential to result in the commercialisation of new
innovations.
•Dr Ronan Meere Received Prize for Best Overall Presentation Winner at the UPEC 2013 Conference.
•PhD student James Caroll was Awarded second best paper at Young Economists and Engineers Seminar,
Vienna, March 21st 2013
Marie Curie
Intel
European
Award
Commercialisation Fund
Other awards
Federico and James who both were individually
awarded Marie Curie Career Integration Grants
Dr Peter Richardson took part in the UCD
Commercialisation Boot camp to develop
commercial ideas for smart grid applications in
power systems
Research Success
8. Research outputs for 2013 were as follows:
Academic outputs in 2013:
· 29 Peer reviewed original articles
· 2 Review articles
· 2 Book chapters
· 6 Published reports
· 114 Presentations (in 18 countries incl. 36 invited talks
ERC publications are available on the ERC website http://erc.ucd.ie/outputs
Amy O’ Mahony completed her thesis titled “Electricity Market and Renewables: Emissions,
Costs and Fuel Diversity,” and she is now working as a senior consultant in IPA Energy+Water
Economics, based in London.
Aonghus Shortt completed his thesis titled “Quantifying and Restoring Power System
Variability,” and he has since started working as an Energy Systems Analyst with ElectroRoute.
Eamonn Lannoye completed his thesis titled “Quantifying and Delivering Power System
Flexibility,” and he is now working as a Senior Project Engineer with the Electrical Power
Research Institute.
Paul Cuffe completed his thesis titled “Reactive Power from Distributed Generators:
Characterisation and Utilisation of the Resource,” and he is now settled in as a Senior
Researcher within the ERC, working with Dr. Andrew Keane on the European Commission
FP7 funded project, evolvDSO.
Born in 1979 Ronan is a UCD man through and through, having
completed his undergraduate degree here he also graduated
with a PhD in 2005 with his thesis titled “New Methods for Planning
and Operating Modern Electricity Systems with Significant Wind
Generation.” He then took up the position of Trading & Investment
RiskManageratthehugelysuccessfulIrishrenewablesandelectricity
supply company Airtricity, where he was responsible for a complex
portfolio of generation and customer demand. In 2005, he moved
to Edinburgh and joined start-up company Aquamarine Power as
Chief Technical Officer and helped lead the development of their
wave energy technology during a period of significant expansion
and growth. In February of 2011 Ronan founded ElectroRoute,
where he is currently CEO and Managing Director. ElectroRoute
is a specialist energy trading company focused on the electricity
and gas markets. Its energy trading platform covers a range of
activities in the Irish, UK and continental European markets.
Ronan Doherty, CEO ElectroRoute
Outreach & Outputs
Publication Highlights
9. •ENI’s “Export & Interconnection” document was
completed in January of 2014 and is now available
in the outputs section of our website. This paper
outlines key challenges and questions that need to
be adressed to ensure the success of future export
projects from Ireland.
•The Energy Needs Ireland team recently hosted
a discussion evening in the Royal Irish Academy on
March 25th 2014. Members of industry, academia,
and the public came along for a great presentation
and lively discussion. The event was a resounding
success that showed how much of an impact the
team’s work is having long after last year’s summer
program has finished.
Energy Needs Ireland is an undergraduate, interdisciplinary summer
education and research programme based in UCD. The group worked
under the supervision of Prof Mark O’Malley. The 2013 ENI group consisted
of 21 undergraduate students who spent the summer working on projects
related to the technical, commercial and social aspects of Ireland’s “Smart
Energy Network”. ENI defines the Smart Energy Network as an expansion
of the traditional definition of the Smart Grid, to include a “Community
Network” of consumers focused on smart usage of finite resources,
both energy and non-energy related. The main focus of ENI 2013 was
to investigate the consumer’s role in terms of overcoming challenges,
identifying possible opportunities and analysing the overall effects of this
Smart Energy Future on the consumer. Throughout the course of summer
2013, the group formed opinions and recommendations relating to four
topics: The Consumer & Their Education, Data & Smart Communities,
Economic Considerations and Energy Export.
Our annual and eagerly anticipated ERC/SEES Research
Symposium showcase event held in May 2013 was opened
by Fergus O’Dowd, Minister of State at the Department of
Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. This was followed
by presentations on the collaborative research conducted
with industry partners based around the group’s strategic
research themes tackling fundamental applied research and
demonstration challenges to underpin the emergence of future
integrated, smart and sustainable electrical energy systems.
Industry members presenting included: Bord Gáis, ESB Networks,
Siemens, EirGrid, SSE Renewables, Gaelectric, ElectroRoute
and Cylon. The international collaboration session included
presentations from Prof Henrik Madsen of Technical University of
Denmark (DTU), Dr Dana Christensen of the National Renewable
Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Prof Janusz Bialek of Durham
University.
A total of 12 presentations and 30 posters on research activities
were on display with ERC PhD students Muireann Lynch and
Sheila Nolan both winning joint first place for best poster for
their respective posters titled “Risk-return incentives in liberalised
electricity markets” and “Evaluating Demand Response”.
ERC Research
Symposium
Fergus O’Dowd, Minister of State with
Responsibility for the NewEra Project
and Professor Mark O’Malley.
Energy Needs Ireland students with Fergus O’Dowd,
Minister of State with Responsibility for the NewEra
Project and Professor Mark O’Malley.
Outreach & Outputs
ENI UPDATES 2014
http://eni.ucd.ie/
10. PhD student Ciara O’Dwyer receiving her
award for Best Oral Presentation in the Energy
Systems session.
Professor Mark O’Malley led a new week long course on Renewable Energy
in Power Systems in the National Renewable Energy Labratory (NREL) USA
in July 2013. The course covered some of the following topics: Renewable
Energy Characteristics, Flexibility, Networks, Grid Codes, Electricity Markets,
Operational Security & Stability.
Following on from that, the same course was delivered in January 2014
in UCD by ERC academics and research staff. Another course has been
scheduled for July 2014 in NREL, this time focusing on Energy Systems
Integration.
For more information see: http://iiesi.org/events.html
Universitas 21 Graduate Research
Conference on Energy: Systems, Policy
and Solutions The fourth Graduate Research Conference coordinated by
Dr Damian Flynn took place from 19-22 June, 2013 at University
College Dublin, with the theme “Energy: Systems, Solutions and
Policy”. The conference attracted more than 70 participants,
representing PhD students and academics from 18 universities
across the U21 network.
Keynote speakers were Professor Peter Lund Professor of
Applied Physics, Aalto University, Finland – “Energy in transition
– innovations paving the way towards a sustainable future”,
Mr Fergus O Dowd TD, Minister of State at the Department of
Communications, Energy and natural Resources, Prof R. Stuart
Haszeldine, OBE, FRSE, School of Geosciences, The University of
Edinburgh and Mr Senan McGrath, Chief Technology Officer ESB
Cars – “Challenges with Providing a National Electric Vehicle
Charging Infrastructure”.
Two workshops, facilitated by the National Digital Research
Centre and Arup Consulting, were also organised to encourage
the delegates to consider the commercial potential of their
research.
Ciara O’Dwyer of the ERC, a recipient of one of three
scholarships to attend Universitas 21 Graduate Research
Conference on Energy along with Fabiano Pallonetto, received
the Best Oral Presentation award in the Energy Systems session
for her presentation on “Energy Storage and the Large-Scale
Integration of Wind Power”.
PhD Student Fabiano Pallonetto, Dr Damian
Flynn, with Mr. Pat Rabbitte TD, Minister
for Communications, Energy and Natural
Resources and students participating in the
conference.
Renewable Energy in Power Systems Course
ERC PhD and Industry Collaborative Day
As part of ongoing ERC/SEES Cluster-industry engagement activities, the UCD IEEE-PES Student Chapter
and ERC PhD students ran a collaboration day with members of industry on March 13th 2014. There were
56 attendees, 28 of from industry partners such as EirGrid, ESBN, EPRI, Glen Dimplex, Mainstream Renewable
Power, ElectroRoute, ESRI, SSE Renewables, CER, Cylon, among others. The session was opened by Dr
Michael Walsh of EirGrid, and was followed by lively round table discussions on some key research topics:
Some outcomes of the event were PhD students gaining a greater understanding of the challenges
faced by industry members on a day to day basis, and a greater alignment of future PhD research projects
with industry needs.
• Offshore grid design
• Demand Response – system and end user
perspective
• Distribution network modelling
• Power System Operations
• Power Systems Planning and Network
Development
• Short Term Flexibility
Event Reports
11. The IEEE-PES Student Chapter at UCD held its
inaugral presentation competition on June 6th
2014 at Engineers Ireland. Twelve Students from
UCC, DIT, ESBI and the Mechanical & Materials, and
Electrical & Electronic schools of Engineering at UCD
competed in a three minute research “elevator
pitching” competition. The aim of the event was
to challenge researchers to explain their work in a
clear and jargon-free manner so that the general
public could understand the impact of our research
on everyday life.
Judging the competitors were John Geoghegan,
Venture Leader at the NDRC, Aoibhéann Bird,
organiser of the national Thesis in Three competition,
and Michael Power, Senior Researcher at the ERC.
Expert talks: “International Coordination for Power
Systems Research” given by Mark McGranaghan,
Vice President of Power Delivery & Utilisation at EPRI
and “A Farewell to Pie-Charts: Data Visualization for
Power Systems Research “ given by Dr Paul Cuffe,
senior researcher
at the ERC, opened
and closed the
day respectively.
The ERC’s very own
Alison O’Connell
won the event, and
will compete in the
national Thesis in
Three event late
this year.
The EU-funded project “REserviceS” aims to explore how wind and solar PV technologies can provide
support services to the power grid (known as “ancillary services”). The project will provide guidance for
the drafting of network codes and electricity market design. A Regional workshop was organised in Dublin
in September 2013 entitled “Achieving 40% RES by 2020: the role of ancillary services from wind energy”.
Dr Andrej Gubina moderated the Ireland Case Study Session with
panel members from EirGrid, ESB Networks, GE Power Conversion
and SSE Renewables. The workshop was well attended by industry
and a panel debate combining the REserviceS results and the Irish
DS3 programme closed the event.
Prof Vijay Vittal the Ira A. Fulton
Chair Professor at Arizona
State University in the School of
Electrical, Computer and Energy
Engineering conducted a day
long workshop hosted by the ERC
and Engineers Ireland in UCD on
the 12th of March 2013.
The workshop aimed at students, researchers and
industry covered topics that included an overview
and introduction to power system stability and
system dynamics.
The 2013 GCEP Research Symposium, Advanced
Technologies for Affordable Low-Carbon Energy,
was held in October at Stanford University. Thought-
provoking speakers, GCEP researchers and more
than 450 participants from academia, industry and
government were all in attendance. A popular
highlight of the symposium is a series of Energy 101
tutorials conducted by leading researchers. One
such tutorial was titled ‘Energy Systems Integration
101’ and was given by our very own Professor Mark
O’Malley. The full lecture can be view through this
link
We have a really rich seminar program given by our own PhD Students, researchers and academics as well
as visiting academics and industry personnel including:
• Prof David Limebeer of Oxford University gave a presentation on “The Optimal Control of a 2014 Formula
One Car” on March 13th 2014.
• Dr Richard O’Neill the Chief Economic Advisor at the United States Federal Energy Regulatory
Commission who gave a seminar on 13th 2013 September on “Approaches and Computational
Experience in Solving the ACOPF and AC Switching.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w4LyN3Or60A
European REserviceS Workshop
Event Reports
Power System Dynamics &
Sustainability Workshop
Energy Systems Integration
101 at Stanford
Energy Systems Engineering: Communicating Research
Pádraig Daly, Alison O’Connell,
Conor Murphy
12. ERC is funded by Industry Members, an SFI Strategic Research Cluster Award, HEA funding under the
Programme for Research in Third-Level Institutions (PRTLI) Cycle 5 and co-funded under the European
Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and several other national (SFI Charles Parsons, Principle Investigators,
Stokes and Research Infrastructure awards, Enterprise Ireland Commercialisation Fund, and Irish Research
Council), International (ReserviceS, Intelligent Energy Europe funding, evolvDSO FP7 funding and iPower
consortia) and additional industry programmes and awards.
International Activity
International Institute for Energy Systems Integration (iiESI)
NREL, EPRI and PNNL in the US and UCD, DTU and
Ku Leuven in Europe have come together to form
a virtual global Institute aimed at tackling the
challenges of energy systems integration through
collaboration and education. The iiESI seeks to
leverage the expertise of scholars and practitioners
to understand the full energy system and the
challenges to realising highly integrated, flexible,
clean, and efficient energy systems.
To date, iiESI has been extremely active hosting two
very successful workshops. In February 2014, The US
Department of Energy Laboratories, NREL and PNNL
hosted an inaugural Energy Systems Integration
(ESI) workshop in Washington DC. There were
over 40 attendees (US, European and Asian) from
industry and academia (DTU, IBM, Tsinghua, PJM,
NE ISO, Alstom, GE, MIT, UCD, KU Leuven, ENEL etc).
In May 2014, DTU hosted a European workshop in
Copenhagen. Attendance was even larger than in
Washington with over 100 people participating from
international organizations, industry, policymakers,
regulators and academics proving once more the
importance and timely creation of this international
institute. The outputs of this workshop are available
on the website: http://iiesi.org/events.html. Future
events include an iiESI workshop in Kyoto Japan on
17th November 2014 as part of the IRED Conference.
Professor Mark O’Malley was invited to present at the The High
Level Policy Conference (HLPC) that took place on 25th June 2014
in Brussels, Belgium as part of the European Union- Sustainable
Energy Week. The European Commission is currently developing
the Strategic Energy Technology –Plan’s (SET-plan) Integrated
Roadmap. The roadmap will be an important reference point
for priorities for funding for energy research in the coming calls
under Horizon2020. Energy Systems Integration (ESI) is a term
that is currently making its way into the official EU-lingo. It is thus
highlighted in the Integrated Roadmap. Mark presented at a
session titled Energy Systems Integration- a Global Innovation
Challenge whereby he explained what ESI is and outlined the
important opportunity that exists currently to help establish ESI
as part of the SET-plan’s for research and innovation challenges.
Dr. Bryan Hannegan from NREL also presented the role iiESI will
play in facilitating international cooperation in the field of Energy
Systems.
European Union - Sustainable Energy Week
Prof Mark O’ Malley speaking at the European
Union Sustainable Energy Week HLPC in
Brussels
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The ERC and the Sustainable Electrical Energy Systems
Cluster (SEES) have reconfigured to reflect growth
and consolidate all efforts across our different funding
streams. The research is now presented in eight
thematic strands which bring together grouping of
researchers from the relevant academic-led groups.
Two represent the scientific hub, and the other six are
the applied research spokes.
SYSTEM SUPPORT SERVICES:
We focus on vital system services required for the secure and reliable operation of power
systems, encompassing local voltage support, flexibility and reserve.
MODELLING:
We provide expertise in the fundamentals of modelling stochastic problems, stability analysis
of power systems and optimisation that can be utilised by the Cluster.
MARKETS & REGULATION:
There are several issues concerning market design and regulation and we in this strand are
examining them using unit commitment tools and econometric models.
Strand Lead: Dr Andrew Keane, UCD
Strand Lead: Prof Federico Milano, UCD in collaboration with Prof James Gleeson UL and Dr Paula
Caroll UCD
Strand Lead: Dr Sean Lyons, ESRI in collaboration with John Fitzgerald ESRI
Dr
Andrew
Keane,
UCD
Dr
Eleanor
Denny,
TCD
Dr
Damian
Flynn,
UCD
Prof
Sean
McLoone,
NUIM/QUB
Dr
Terence
O’Donnell,
UCD
Dr
Donal
Finn,
UCD
POLICY & SOCIAL STUDIES:
We work on developing insights into human behaviour, attitudes and incentives relating to
energy issues and to analyse and inform government energy policy.
FLEXIBILITY:
We are exploring the growing need for more flexible power systems, capable of secure
and reliable operation, either through traditional or new means, e.g. renewable generation
controls, storage and flexible loads.
DEMONSTRATION & INTERCONNECTION:
We are examining interconnection technologies and characteristics, which may play a
crucial role in realising ambitious targets for renewable energy, which is by its nature locally
uncertain and variable.
INTELLIGENT ENERGY SYSTEMS:
We are developing intelligent algorithms and methodologies that support the efficient and
robust operation of the smart-grid at the interface between energy systems, control and ICT.
END USE:
Our goal is identifying the potential for control of domestic and commercial thermal loads
as a demand management and reserve provision measures.
Strand Lead: Dr Eleanor Denny, TCD
Strand Lead: Dr Damian Flynn, UCD
Strand Lead: Dr Terence O’Donnell, UCD
Strand Lead: Prof Seán McLoone, NUIM/QUB
Strand Lead: Dr Donal Finn, UCD In collaboration with Dr James O’Donnell UCD
Research Overview
Supporting our research orginisation is the arrival of
Claire Cullen and Kerrie Sheehan who joined the
centre management team in early 2014](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)