Francisco uses successful integration experiences in islands to demonstrate that the challenges of high RE penetration can be overcome. Reliable and efficient supply of electricity is possible, if a consistent planning process, considering the particularities of each island, takes place. This presentation shows how IRENA have used grid integration studies to support, at a global level, the planning of the technical aspects related to the operation of the power grids in Small Island Developing States.

1. INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY
AGENCY
Grid integration for renewables in SIDS
Francisco Gafaro
King Island, 18 November 2015

2. This presentation
• IRENA
• The transformation of the power systems
• The challenges
• Grid modelling studies
• Case studies
2

3. 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 ?

4. Launched on 23 September 2014 at the Climate Summit
STRATEGIC 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)

5. The global transformation
of the power systems
5
1

6. Competitiveness of renewables
increases continuously …

7. 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 increasing
2015:
50-55 GW solar PV 200 GW installed capacity worldwide
55-58 GW wind installed 400 GW installed capacity worldwide

8. 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

9. The transformation is not only
happening in large systems …
Different sizes Different resources
Different stakeholders Different
solutions!
http://www.kingislandrenewableenergy.com.au/

10. The challenges
10
2

11. Seconds
Years
Impact
Groups.
11
Properties of VRE and challenges
Stability, Voltage,
Frequency Response
Non-Synchronous
Unit commitment
Reserves
Uncertainty
Abundance
Scarcity
Asset Utilization
Short Term Changes
Variability
Location Constraints
Modularity
VRE PROPERTIES
Voltage
Control
Frequency
Response
Frequency
Control
Generation
Adequacy
IMPACTSDEPENDONSYSTEMCHARACTERISTICS
Source: IRENA, adapted from IEA, S. Muller
T&D Grid
Adequacy
Voltage
Control

12. 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. 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
IslandSystemCharacteristics
VRE Characteristics

14. Grid studies
14
3

15. 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. 16
Grid modelling studies process

17. 17
Grid modelling studies process

18. 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

19.  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
FIAGA
F/S
L/M
TAF
4
MW
8
MW
5
MW
30
MW
DIESEL
2.7
MW
Load
3.5
MW 4
MW
TANU
33 kV
22 kV
Upolu 2014
Hydro
Map Data ©2015 Google
FIAGA
F/S
L/M
TAF
5
MW
8.5
MW
5.7
MW
6.7
MW
Load
3.5
MW
TANU
33 kV
22 kV
Upolu 2017
Hydro
5
MW
30
MW
DIESEL
4
MW
7
MW
Map Data ©2015 Google

20. 20
Study case Upolu - Samoa - findings
Alternative
Measures to guarantee secure
operation
Security
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 settings
Output 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 device
AGC control includes hydro units
All security criteria
fulfilled
Potential!
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

21. 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. 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

23. 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

24. www.irena.org
Thank you very much!!
Francisco Gafaro
fgafaro@irena.org