Operating a Wind Farm in the Future Smart Grid:

Lessons from developing and deploying a Smart Grid on Shetland

Presented by: Mr. Simon Gill (University of Strathclyde)

Contributing Authors: Prof. Graham Ault, Dr Ivana Kockar (University of Strathclyde)

Dr. Colin Foote (Smarter Grid Solutions)

Mr. Stewart Reid (Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution)

Introduction

Active Network Management and the Smart Grid

Rolling out ANM

The Orkney Smart Grid

- Description of an existing ANM scheme

- Communication infrastructure

- Contractual infrastructure

- Lessons Learned

Shetland smart grid

- ANM on an islanded system- Managing wind with energy

storage and flexible demand- Enhanced wind turbine requirements for Shetland

- Lessons Learned

Active Network Management

Centralised Control

Distributed Control

ms min

Protection, Automation,

Control

SCADA

Active Network Management

ANM: close to real time monitoring and control of distribution networks and distributed generation

s

Orkney Smart Grid

Population: ~ 20,000Electrical demand: 6 – 31 MWExisting renewable generation: 26MWElectrical connection: 2 x 20MW undersea cables

Orkney Smart Grid

2 x 20 MW undersea Cables Demand Min: 6MW

Firm Wind: 26MW

Intratrip controlled Non Firm

Wind: 20MW

New Non Firm Wind: 18.5MW

Orkney Communications

Diagram courtesy of Smarter Grid Solutions

Orkney - Outcomes

•New Non Firm Capacity Installed so far: 18.5MW•Cost of project ~ £0.5M•(Projected cost of network reinforcement ~£30M)•Advantages to Wind Generators: Significantly quicker connections and certainty of when connections available• Lessons Learned: Communications reliability is paramount!

NINES – Shetland ANM

Population: ~ 22,000Electrical demand: 12 – 45 MWExisting renewable generation: 3.6MWElectrical network: Islanded

Northern Isles New Energy Solutions

NINES – Shetland ANMNon-Firm Wind

Battery energy storage

Large scale demand management

Domestic demand side management

Frequency Responsive

Objectives:1. Maximise renewable

generation

2. Define network stability

3. Smooth conventional generation

4. Frequency responsive components

Stability and Scheduling

Forecasting

Scheduling Engine

How do you use forecasts?

-uncertainty- Real time-monitoring and control-rescheduling decisions- Identify potentially problematic forecasts (e.g. Wind speeds near wind turbine cut outs)

Wind Forecast

Fixed Demand Forecast

Flexible Demand Forecast

NINES for DevelopersLast In First Out (LIFO)

Principle – of – access

Advantages: - Bankable- Easy to understand- New connections don’t

affect your expected curtailment

Dis-advantages: - All capacity to a few

generators- Does not maximise

viable capacity

Example of Curtailment

Connecting together with demand- ‘Private’ flexible demand → reduce

curtailment - NINES example: electric boiler for

district heating

NINES: Connection Process

Initial expression of interest

Initial feasibility study provided

Formal Connection Request: Requires Planning permission

Feasibility Study includes:- The connection process

- Communication requirements- ANM equipment requirements- Details of connections and costs

- Fault ride through, protection and additional technical requirements

- Constraint analysis estimate

Accept connection offer:

Developer signs agreement and pays

full connection charge

Generation must go live within 2

year period

Defines position in LIFO queue

Generator to comply with ANM control

signals

Formal Connection Offer:Includes revised constraint

analysis

Rolling out ANM

Key LessonsANM can be quicker, many times

cheaper and make more efficient use of capacity

Communications reliability is vital

Wind farm projects in ANM schemes are bankable under well defined principles of access

Direct linkage with demand will reduce curtailment

Wind turbines will be asked to provide additional distribution services

The future

ANM moving towards ‘business as usual’ on rural distribution networks in

Scotland

Effective use of forecasts for demand and weather important

Wind generation can provide ancillary service when communications in place

ANM to control a range of devices (Generators, Demand, Prosumers)

Questions?

Email: simon.gill@strath.ac.uk

Orkney smart grid: http://www.ssepd.co.uk/OrkneySmartGrid/

Smarter Grid Solutions: http://www.smartergridsolutions.com/