GRID – 25 A strategy for the development of Ireland’s Electricity

Grid for a Sustainable and Competitive future

Aswin Balasubramanian Imaya Senthilnathan

Introduction

• Safe, secure, affordable electricity• Economic growth and bright future for renewable and

sustainable energy • Reduce dependence on fossil fuels• Practical and progressive solutions• Maximize competitiveness• Attract new hi-tech industry and accommodate population

growth• Investment - 4 billion Euros• CER - effective and efficient delivery of investment

Aim of GRID - 25

• Transmission grid- links to central market- avail electricity at the most economic rates

• Changes in grid- energy security, climate change, import of fuels

• Will include new levels of wind generation and ocean tech based generation, flexible conventional generation and efficient market structures and networks.

• Key pillar- links parts of country rich in renewable energy to the rest of the country for reliable electricity at economic rates

Aim of GRID - 25

• Capacity of transmission system must be doubled by 2025.• Major reinforcements to existing network • Balance reliability, energy security, cost and environmental

impact in a sustainable way• Minimize length of new lines and maximize utilization of

existing network• Increase Ireland’s connectivity to the European Grid (export

and import in bulk)

Consequences of Non-Action

• Danger of overloading• Limits no. of hi-tech industries to locations with strong grid

infrastructure.• Needs of new residential clients will not be met• Security of supply will be in question• Limits competitiveness in electricity market• Drive to reduce CO2 emissions will be seriously undermined• Ireland will not be strongly connected to the European grid

Projected Demand Growth

Outline

• Eirgrid - development of transmission network in Ireland• Ensures adequate network capacity• GRID-25 – economic and reliable network with increased

penetration of renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency and energy savings

• High voltage lines – greater capacity (400kv lines and 220 kv lines)

• Wise to implement HV lines for long term needs• Use of smart grid tech – smart metering – gives customers

control over their consumption

GRID-25 Process

Vision

• Generation fro renewable energy sources-key plank• 33% of demand will be met by renewable generation by 2020• Wind energy will be a major player along with ocean

technology and bio-mass• Locations for new renewable generation schemes are in areas

having little or no generation developments earlier• Renewable generation capacity equals conventional

generation in these areas• Network is not capable of carrying power from here • Grid -25 provides design upgrades in networks for the above

issue

Regional Distribution of Renewable Capacity

Conventional Generation

• 40% of consumption from renewable sources by 2025 (expected)

• 60% will be from conventional generation or imports from abroad

• When wind output is low, conventional generation must provide reliable energy

• Grid 25 provides conventional generation scenarios at sea ports, existing station sites, strong transmission nodes

Future conventional generation locations

Future Grid Requirements

• TG – 400kv, 220kv, 110kv voltage levels• Major means for bulk power transmission -400kv(1980s) and

220kv(1960s)• Not much change in network after 1980s but demand has

grown by over 150%• By 2025 capacity of existing bulk transmission network must be

doubled • Approx. 1150 kms of new circuits- 20% increase in total length of

existing network.• 800kms -400kv ; 350kms-110kv• 2300kms of existing network will be upgraded to provide greater

capacity

Future Grid Requirements

• Taking lines out of service to upgrade• Reason to upgrade is power through lines exceed existing

capabilities• Severe strain on operability, reliability and efficiency of

power system.• Develop innovative upgrading methods to limit impact on

customers (cost & security)• Find quick and effective ways for progress through all phases

for accepting large amounts of new renewable and conventional generation

Development Strategy

• Utilize existing network wherever possible(sometimes costly but less impact on environment)

• Use higher capacity and light weight conductors• When new conductor can’t be used at same voltage, the

network itself is upgraded to a higher voltage• Replacing existing line with double circuit line to provide for

additional capacity• Put selected 100kv circuits underground to minimize impact

of new build ( urban areas )• Use HVDC technology for long distance transmission

Development Strategy

Wind Energy Road Map - 2050

Key Findings

• Ireland can achieve deployment of between 11GW - 16GW of onshore wind and 30GW of offshore wind by 2050

• Wind energy has the potential to generate enough electricity to exceed domestic demand by 2030

• The potential economic value of electricity generated by wind could reach almost €15 billion by 2050

Key Findings

• By 2050 Irish wind could contribute 2.5% to EU Electricity Demand and just over 5% of EU wind energy generation could come from Ireland

• Onshore and Offshore wind could abate between 400 and 450 Mt of CO2 by 2050

Demand VS Generation

Cost comparison

Annual Investment

CO2 Abatement from Wind Energy

Contribution to EU

Annual Report -2009

Annual Report 2009

Annual Report -2009

Annual Report 2013

Annual wind farm capacity additions 1992–2013

Annual capacity factors – Report 2013

GOAL-2020

A Regional View of Ireland

North West Region

Existing Scenario• Predominantly 110kv ; little 220kv ; no 400kvKey Developments• By 2025, increase in demand -> 60%• Wind generation : Area A -> 691 MW ; Area B -> 880MW;

Area C -> 269MW• Wave generation : Area B -> 240MW• In case of insufficient development of ocean technology, the

attributed network capacity could be utilized by wind generation

North West Region

North West Region

• 750 million Euros -> 700kms – to upgrade old ones and build new circuits

• Extension of 220kv network into Sligo

• Major infrastructural development from Mayo to main bulk transmission system in the eastern part of the region

• Further integration of Donegal and Northern Ireland networks

North East Region

Existing Scenario• High potential for off-shore wind and some potential for onshore wind• 220kv and 400kv network in the region provides strong power

corridor between Dublin and Belfast• High capacity gas system- Dublin & Northern IrelandKey Developments• 1995-2005 -> demand up by 55%• By 2025 demand will be further up by 60%• Area A -> 145MW of wind generation• Area B- > 125MW off-shore wind generation

North East Region

North East Region

• 300 million Euros -> additional investment• 400kv North South Interconnector between Kingscourt

(Cavan) and Turleenan• 400kv line from Kingscourt to Woodland• Strengthening of power circuits between North West and

North East regions• Upgrading about 240kms of existing transmission network

West Region

Existing scenario • Wind, Ocean and Hydro(Shannon Estuary)-generated

electricity• 3 large scale power stations• Gas transmission pipeline through a number of potential

locations for gas-fired generation projectsKey developments• Peak demand up by 60%• Wind generation -> 440MW• Wave generation -> 75MW

West Region

West Region

• 315 million Euros -> regional transmission network

• Upgraded networks supplying large urban centers

• Up-rating 250kms of existing networks to facilitate higher capacity power flows

• Strengthening transmission capacity across Shannon Estuary

East Region

Existing scenario• Potential for high levels of conventional generation due to

existing gas grid and the proximity of Dublin port• Large scale thermal generating stations• 220kv lines need upgrading -> provides for accommodation

of future exports and imports between GB and IrelandKey developments• Electricity demand to be up by over 80% by 2025 and will be

30% of the total demand of the island• Wind generation -> 240MW

East Region

East Region

• 800 million Euros -> upgrading 450kms of existing network and building new circuits

• Strengthening of network into and out of the region to allow the demand to be met by renewable generators in the west region

• Strengthening of network serving Dublin city load to cater for rapidly growing developments in North and West Dublin

Midlands Region

Existing Scenario• There are modest wind resources available in Midlands region• 3 peat-burning stations• Supply is mainly through 110kv networkKey developments• By 2025, demand in the Midlands region is expected to grow

by over 40%• Wind energy -> 160MW

Midlands Region

Midlands Region

• 310 million Euros -> upgrading 225km of transmission network and new circuit

• Reinforcing existing 400kV line and up-rating the 110 kV network for providing capacity to supply the continuing strong growth Laois

• Reinforcement of the existing transmission network circuits to cater for continued demand growth in the township regions

South East RegionExisting Scenario• 220 kV network-> high-capacity supply to the region and an

underlying 110 kV • There are existing large-scale generation stations in both areas A and BKey developments• Demand -> over 45% by 2025• Area A -> 335 MW of onshore -> 445 MW of offshore• Area B -> 210 MW on-shore wind generation• A new interconnector from this region to either Great Britain or

mainland Europe will enable the export and import of power when appropriate.

South East Region

South East Region

• Additional investment -> €830m ; to upgrade approximately 490 km of the existing network and to build new infrastructure

• Strengthening of the 220 kV links to both Dublin and Cork to facilitate increased power flows

• Reinforcement of current infrastructure including up-rating of 110kv and 220kv circuits

South West Region

Existing Scenario• Cork and Kerry -> abundance of natural renewable resources

for wind and ocean technologies• The transmission network in the region consists of both 220

kV and 110 kV circuits.

Key Developments• Demand -> 60% by 2025• . Area A -> 730 MW of wind power -> 145 MW of wave generated power• Area B -> 880 MW of wind power -> 40 MW of wave generated power

South West Region

South West Region

• €730m -> upgrading of approximately 130 km of transmission network and new transmission developments

• Strengthening of Cork network -> export of power from East Cork region

• Significant strengthening of capacity between the South West and the South East to allow excess power to flow from both renewable and conventional sources to supply demand in other parts of the country.

Benefits

• Plans facilitate growth of renewable energy generation• Increased power supply attracts future industry• Increased security of supply to the regions• Greater number of renewable generators connected• Improved network will allow for exports of renewable

generation from the regions• Significant future growth in demand from both industry and

domestic users can be accommodated.

Consequences of non-action

• In the short to medium term, there will be no capacity in the network to cater for new customers

• The reliability of supply to existing customers will fall below normal international standards

• There will be no capacity in the network to allow further renewable generation to be connected

• This will have severe consequences on the ability of Ireland to meet its renewable targets and its long-term sustainable energy supplies.

Summary• Integrating large amounts of wind power becomes a significant

challenge , potentially raising the cost of integration• High penetration of wind power has impacts that have to be

managed through proper utilization of all power system flexibility resources: interconnection, flexible generation, storage and demand-side management

• SEAI forecast ->4 000 MW of renewable generation to ensure 40% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020

• Deployment of 400kv transmission networks instead of 220kv -> to improve efficiency and power carrying capability

• Ireland to be linked to the island of Great Britain ->interconnect Ireland’s electricity market to enhance its export and

import potential

Summary

• GRID 25 provides a foundation for more detailed work on specific reinforcements in coming years and will lead to plans for particular projects which will be delivered in consultation with the public and in line with planning legislation.

• Infrastructure investments related to Grid 25 -> EUR 3 billion until 2025

-> including 1150 km of new power lines ->upgrading another 2 300 km of existing one• To increase the overall network length of the transmission

system by around 18%

Thank You