KIREIP, has one main goal – increase renewable energy generation and reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Ideally, renewables will provide over 65% of the annual energy demand and when conditions allow 100% renewable energy use. To achieve this, the project brought together a portfolio of new and existing technologies. Simon presents a possible future for renewable energy – a way renewable energy can work with enabling and storage technologies in a hybrid off-grid power system.

1. King Island Renewable Energy
Integration Project
Isolated Power System Connect 2015
Simon Gamble
Manager Hybrid Off-Grid Solutions

2. • Government Business – owned by State of Tasmania
• Australia’s largest clean energy producer
• Responsible for generation, distribution and retail in
the Bass Strait islands
• Developer, owner and operator of leading hybrid off-
grid system on King Island – our test bed.
• Leading consultant to aid agencies and utilities,
including: Yap, Pitcairn, Chatham Islands, Cook Islands,
Rottnest Island, Coober Pedy
Hydro Tasmania
Hybrid off-grid power systems capability

3. King Island location
Source: Google Earth

4. King Island hybrid power system
Development path for renewable energy
Population approx. 1,600 2.5MW load 6MW diesel generation 450km of 11kV
• Expensive system - diesel fuel is 80% of cost - incentive to use RE
• Adding RE is an integration challenge – RE displaces diesel generation
• High RE requires enabling systems – communication; control; services
• Requires holistic approach – planning; phasing development
Diesel fuel cost
dominates

5. 1998 – First Wind Farm
Low renewable energy penetration
750kW wind
“Low hanging fruit”
Deliberately limited RE installed
No impact to operations
Simplified Solar PV example
15% reduction in diesel

6. 2.45MW wind (1.2MW min load)
RE controlled (limited) protect diesels
Some RE is wasted (curtailed)
At this point you need enablers:
- 1st enabler - automated control
2004 – Wind Farm Expansion
Medium renewable energy penetration
Simplified Solar PV example
30% annual reduction in diesel
Note minimum diesel operation
Diesel still regulating

7. Enabling technology – Dynamic Resistor (Load bank) elements
• Resistive elements artificially increase the load: convert excess to heat
• Load balance is maintained (dynamically by resistors) – not diesel generators
• More RE is utilised – more diesel savings
2008 – Dynamic resistor (2nd enabler)
Enhanced medium renewable energy penetration
Counterintuitive : taking spilled energy & converting to a useful service
35% annual reduction in diesel

8. Dynamic resistor operation
Grey areas show dynamic resistor controlling system frequency using excess RE.
Note reduction in diesel generation variability at these times – driving diesel
savings.

9. 2012 – Diesel UPS (3rd enabler)
Ability to operate at 100% RE penetration
• The need to always operate diesel
generation has been a key barrier
to renewables
o Next logical challenge to switch off
To achieve 100% RE penetration
systems require:
• Surplus RE generation
• Full automation – high speed
communication and control
• Enabling systems – that replace
all services provided by diesels
King Island flywheel – supports system without diesel generation
Consumes spilled renewables to operate
An instant start diesel generator to provide firm capacity
Inertia, Voltage regulation, Fault current

10. D-UPS “catches” system when diesel fails
(as example)

11. • Absorb excess RE (increase the load)
• Recover excess RE (power injected)
• Provide a range of services
• King Island battery primarily for :
o Reserves to support 100% RE operation
o Frequency control
2014 - Energy Storage (4th enabler)
An enabling technology option for high RE penetration
Australia’s largest battery – 3MW / 1.5MWh King Island

12. 2014 - Demand management
Further optimise RE utilisation by altering demand to
match available RE generation (another option)
• Aggregates controllable customer load
to help balance demand / supply during
high RE contribution
• Fast load shedding , smart EV charging,
smart solar PV switching
• Monitoring customer load and providing
data to customers via smart phone app.

13. 2015 - King Island system
Proven, robust, reliable MW class hybrid system
Result of planned, coordinated activity
Winner 2013 innovation award
> $24m in diesel savings (>$2m per annum) > 1,300 hrs of diesel off operation
65% diesel savings now possible
Good return on investment
Cost of power reduced

14. 2015 – King Island system operation
Extended “diesel off” operation
Combined performance of enabling systems

15. King Island app & web site: real time data
www.kireip.com.au

16. 16
• Renewable energy technologies can economically reduce the cost of off-grid
energy supply by significantly reducing the consumption of diesel fuel
o Renewable energy integration is the key to increased utilisation
o Start with increasing instantaneous penetration whilst maintaining stability
• System wide planning is critical – develop a roadmap, conduct system modelling
• Technology continues to mature and costs reduce
o Economics drives optimum RE contribution level (not technical capability)
– King Island demonstrates a range of solutions from low to very high RE
o Significant cost benefits are possible through standardisation
• Understand your business case: What items drive return? – e.g. RE vs storage
Lessons from King Island (1)

17. Off-Grid Projects:
• Significantly more costly than on-grid : 200-300% (consider in cost estimates)
• Easier to control cost than time – logistical challenges (allow significant float)
Project Planning and Design:
• Involve site staff – integrate operational factors
• Test designs prior to rollout – dynamic studies / HIL / parallel operation
• Specification – know exactly what you want
Implementation:
• Construction : manage contractors closely – near enough isn’t good enough
17
Lessons from King Island (2)

18. Operations:
• Must be simple and robust - e.g. DUPS no more complex than a diesel engine
• Must default to fail safe operation with any system outage
• Documentation and training are critical – site capability will impact returns
Suppliers:
• Conduct due diligence – proven practical performance essential
• Experience in the specific application is critical – off-grid is different
Community: critical to success
• Early and ongoing engagement – multiple channels – don’t assume > engage
• Get them involved in project – consultative committee
18
Lessons from King Island (3)

19. Further information:
Hybrid Off-Grid Solutions
Simon Gamble
simon.gamble@hydro.com.au
www.kireip.com.au
“KIREIP” iPhone app
Thank you