Energy in Ireland

1
Electricity Generation, Distribution and Supply
in Ireland
Bob Hanna SEI 24 September 2003
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Electricity Generation, Distribution and Supply
in Ireland

• How much electricity is generated?
• Fuel mix for generation
• Structure of the electricity supply system
• Generating Stations
• Efficiency
• Suppliers
• Emissions

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How Much Electricity is Generated?

• Installed Capacity is about 4,700 MW
• Peak Demand over 4,000 MW
• Instantaneous Power varies between 1,200 MW and
  4,000 MW
• Electricity Generated per annum c. 22 TWh
  (22,000 GWh)

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Generation Fuel Mix
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Generation Fuel Mix
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ESB Power Stations - Thermal
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ESB Power Stations - Hydro
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Independent Power Producers

• Edenderry Power 120 MW Peat
• Synergen 400 MW Gas
• Huntstown 343 MW Gas

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Generation Market Shares 2005
18
60
22
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Forecast All-Ireland Generation 2005
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The ESB system comprises a 400/220/110kV network
with generation distributed around the country
but with a significant proportion concentrated in
the Dublin area.
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ESB Network Issues

• Planning Difficulties for O/H LInes
• Significant Low Voltage Congestion Problems
• Capex Constraints ( 0.5 Billion)
• Shallow Connection Policy
• Delayed Access for New Entrants
• Inadequate Generation Margins

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(No Transcript)
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Efficiency Considerations

• Conventional Thermal Power Plant 30 36
• Large Open Cycle GT Plant 36
• Large CCGT Plant 55
• Medium Scale CHP Plant 80 (inc. heat)

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Efficiency of Total Electricity System
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Electricity Suppliers

• The market is 40 open (threshold is 1 GWh per
  annum)
• Approximately 40 licensed suppliers!
• 4 main competitors to ESB Supply
• Energia
• ESB Independent Energy
• BGE
• Airtricity

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CO2 Emissions per kWh of Electricity Generated
18
Energy Related CO2 Emissions by Mode of Energy
Application
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Relative Cost of CO2 Reduction Measures
Service Strength of Demand Growth CO2 Intensity Relative Cost of Reduction
Electricity 1
Heat 10
Transport 5
Climate Change Strategy
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Summary of Key Parameters

• Diversified fuel mix (but increasingly less so)
• Almost totally isolated system (but increasingly
  less so)
• Long overhead lines at low TX or DX voltages
• Transmission constraints
• Generation shortage
• Price!
• Choice of Suppliers
• Electricity focus for Emissions Reductions