Wind-Diesel Hybrid Power Trials and Tribulations at Ascension Island

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Wind-Diesel Hybrid Power Trials and
Tribulations at Ascension Island

• Gary Seifert, EE PE
• Kurt Myers, MSEE PE
• Idaho National Laboratory

March 2006
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Background information
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Background Information
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Background information
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Background

• Air Force power was generated by diesel power
• Loads range from 1.6 to 2.4 MW
• Two 1900 kW diesel generators operate in parallel
  with the wind farm
• Waste engine heat and fuel fired boilers power
  the desalination system
• Fresh water production uses over 300,000 gallons
  of Diesel a year

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Before, Diesels and .
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Diesel Fired Steam Boilers for Desalinated Water
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Desalination System, Fresh Water From Sea Water
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Long History of Wind On Ascension
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Wind farm at Ascension
Phase 2
Phase 1
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System Description Phase One

• Four three-bladed 225 kW MICON wind turbines for
  a total of 900 kW
• Average Ascension wind speed 7.8 m/s (17.5 mph)
• 4 Up-wind Micon Turbines (40/225kW EA.)
• 30m Tower Height
• Fixed Pitch Stall Regulated
• 29.8 m Rotor Diameter

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Performance

• Phase 1
• Average wind power output - 342 kW (38 capacity
  factor)
• Average Penetration - 14-24
• Maximum Observed penetration - 46-56
• Stable Operation
• No Added Controls Needed

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System Description Phase Two

• Add two 900 kW MICON wind turbines for a total
  wind farm of 2700 kW
• 30m Tower (very short)
• Fixed Pitch Stall Regulated
• 52 m Rotor Diameter
• High Penetration Design
• Synchronous Condensor
• 2 each 1 MW Electric Boilers with Fast Electronic
  Controls (Generation Following)

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Performance

• Phase 2
• Average wind power output of 1026 kW (38
  capacity factor)
• Average Penetration - 43-64
• Maximum predicted penetration - 112 to 169
• How????
• Other features needed for stable operation
• Condensers, active controls, etc

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Phase Two Economics and Operational Impacts

• Fuel Saving will grow
• 650,000 extra gallons of fuel a year
• a total of more than one million gallons of fuel
  saved every year
• 70,000 gallons of fresh drinking water can be
  produced every day with green wind energy,
  instead of diesel
• Simple Payback in 7 years
• Significantly reduces CO2 and NOX Emissions
• Stable, reliable, green, wind energy 5000 miles
  from home

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High Penetration Design

• Synchronous Condenser
• (VAR support and Rotating Mass)
• 2 each (1 MW) electric boilers designed for
• Steady state average load, plus
• Control variability - fine tuning
• Automated load/generation leveling
• Boiler controls monitor wind farm output
• Manage boiler load to wind farm output
• Keep Penetration low (adding boiler load)

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1900 Kw
1900 Kw
1900 Kw
1350 Kw
650 Kw
225 Kw
225 Kw
225 Kw
225 Kw
Diesel Generators
Ascension Wind Farm
Island Loads
Ascension Wind Diesel System Phase 1
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1900 Kw
1900 Kw
1900 Kw
1350 Kw
650 Kw
225 Kw
225 Kw
225 Kw
225 Kw
Diesel Generators
900 Kw
900 Kw
PF Control
Ascension Wind Farm
Boiler Power Control
Synchronous Condenser
More Wind More Electric Boiler Less Fuel
Less Wind More Fuel
Island Loads
Controller
Ascension Wind Diesel Hybrid System
Fuel Oil Boiler
Electric Boiler 2 x 1000 kw
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Remote Challenges - Examples

• Remote shipping - 5000 miles from Port Canaveral
• Restricted shipping schedules
• Pier restrictions
• Limited crane reach
• Very short towers
• Limited island access

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Watch out for Natives Both 2 legged and Clawed
Varieties Just Kidding This little land
crab was one of our night time visitors during
construction.
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LESSONS LEARNED

• Perform resource assessments
• Partner at the beginning
• Performance based specifications
• Control system design and integration crucial
• Integrate load management into the control system
  for stability and high penetration
• Plan and model loads up front
• Wind/Diesel systems are very compatible
• You can have penetration above 25, but plan and
  design for high penetration

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Before
Questions? Gary Seifert 208-521-8385 Gary.Seife
rt_at_inl.gov Kurt Myers 208-521-1108 Kurt.Myers_at_inl
.gov
After