Grid Connections: Now and the Future

1
Grid ConnectionsNow and the Future
10th November 2010
Patrick Smart Head of Commercial and Regulatory
2
Agenda

• Introduction to SEL
• Overview of Grid and Grid Process
• Technical challenges
• National Grids impact on renewables
• How to manage Grid risk
• The future of grid connections

3
Senergy Econnect Ltd

• Established as Econnect in 1995
• Grid connection of all renewable generation
  technologies
• Hagshaw Hill, North Hoyle Landmark projects for
  UK Renewables
• Electrical Engineering and Commercial and
  Regulatory Consulting
• Now part of Senergy Group, based in Newcastle

4
The GB Network
5
Overview of Electricity Industry

1 Transmission GB System Operator
NGETL
NGETL Scottish Power, Scottish Hydro-Electric
3 transmission owners
14 Distribution Network Operators (7 companies)
6
Distribution Network Areas
7
Securing Grid Capacity

• Accept a connection offer
• which generally requires a down payment (70K to
  200k for commercial onshore wind)
• and a commitment to progress construction
• So when do I initiate the grid process? Planning
  or grid first?
• Some information in the public domain DNO Long
  Term Development Statements.

8
DNO Connection Process

• DNOs obliged to offer terms to connect to network
• Submit competent application (likely DNO up front
  fee in the near future)
• Offer within 3 months
• Open for acceptance for 30 days or 3 months. Can
  normally be extended but not guaranteed.
• Acceptance usually requires initial down payment
  to cover detailed studies and design.

9
DNO Point of Connection Offers

• Non-contestable connection works only
• New Standards in effect from 1 October 2010
• Obliged to offer budget estimates within set
  period (20 WDs for commercial projects)
• PoC Offers - DNO liable for compensation of 150
  per day late!!!! (for applications received
  after 1 October 2010..)
• All works offers DNOs to include 4 margin on
  contestable works

10
Connection Offer Process

• Offers of terms for connection open for
  acceptance for 30 days or 3 months.
• Can normally be extended but this is not
  guaranteed.
• Acceptance usually requires initial down payment
  - 70K to 200k
• Obligation to agree construction programme

11
DNO Connection Offer Content

• Outline of connection solution
• Outline of DNO works, reinforcements and
  construction program
• Technical and communication requirements
• Users obligation (design to ENA standards)
• Price (often indicative until contracts placed)
• Connection cost and risk project specific

12
Connection Offer Process National Grid

• Transmission System Impact
• Dash for Wind in late 2004 / 2005.
• Massive shortfall of grid capacity relative to
  applications / agreements (note not necessarily
  consented wind)
• The GB Queue
• Much of the GB Queue connecting at distribution
  voltage

13
Connection Offer Process National Grid
14
Connection Offer Process National Grid

• Managed through embedded bilateral agreements and
  the Statement of Works process
• Large generators must enter into a bilateral
  agreement (BELLA or BEGA)
• Small / medium generators may be referred to
  National Grid for a Statement of Works.
• National Grid responds with view on transmission
  system impact

15
Key Technical Considerations

• Three main network problems
• Thermal capacity
• Fault levels
• Voltage rise
• Further technical considerations
• Harmonics
• Voltage Flicker
• Design requirements (e.g. G59)
• If you cause technical problems, your connection
  will take longer to complete and be more
  expensive.

16
Thermal Capacity
Safety clearance

• Overheating leads to insulation failure
• Reverse power flow capability?

17
Fault Currents
Primary Substation
Distribution Feeder
Fault Current
G
Contribution of current to a fault on network can
lead to an overstressing of existing switchgear
and is a major limiting factor to the connection
of embedded generation
18
Voltage Rise
Overhead line
19
Voltage Rise - Mitigation
Substation
Within limits
20
Connection Offer Process Key Messages

• Assess grid early (publicly available
  information)
• Engage with the DNO and stay in touch
• Ask about National Grid impact
• Plan submission of connection application in
  light of process delays and obligation to commit
  c100k
• Reflect outputs from assessment and DNO liaison
  in application

21
Future Grid Connections
Transmission Generators
Transmission Network
Transmission Generators
Distribution Network
Consumers
22
Grid Connections in the Future

• Regulatory reform RIIO (Revenue Incentives
  Innovation Outputs)
• Key principles
• Focus on outputs and delivery (more from assets)
• Longer term view (decarbonisation)
• Reward for higher performance
• Encourage innovation (prizes)
• 32 billion of investment required
• What does that mean for grid connections?

23
Grid Connections in the Future

• Who knows.watch the RIIO space..BUT
• Opportunities for new technologies / techniques
  to raise long term efficiency
• Smart Grids (?) from dynamic substation control
  to domestic load switching.
• Electrical efficiency of connecting close to
  significant points of demand.
• Extend on the principle of negative GDUoS for HV
  connections.

24
Patrick SmartHead of Commercial
Regulatory0191 238 7344patrick.smart_at_senergywor
ld.com