grid connections for solar pv by tnei services
DESCRIPTION
Sarah Weatherhead, TNEI, talks through problems solar installers can face with connecting systems to the grid and how to overcome them.TRANSCRIPT
Grid Connections for Solar
How to get connected and current issues
Thursday 7th August
Sarah Weatherhead, TNEI Services Ltd
TNEI Services Ltd
• Two core-groups– Power Systems & Technology– Planning & Environment
• Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow– 60 Staff - 15 nationalities– Predominantly UK and Europe footprint– Increasing international workload– Expanding range of design and technical site services
• Acquired by Petrofac in June 2010
• Solar Energy UK Conference and ExhibitionNEC, Birmingham 14 – 16 October 2014
Why are TNEI relevant ?
Development Pipeline
Site Selection Design Consenting Build
• GIS sieving (including topology, aspect, flood risk and Global Horizontal Irradiance)• Environmental Constraints mapping• Grid Feasibility
• Power System Design• Layout Design• Grid Connection Applications
• Planning Applications• Community Consultation• Environmental Impact Assessments•Planning Appeals, Enquiries and Hearings
Power Systems & Technology
• Key Markets:– Electrical Transmission and Distribution
Utilities– Renewable Industry– Oil & Gas Industry
• Services:– Strategic Infrastructure Planning &
Technology Assessment– Regulation, Technical Strategy & Due
Diligence– Specialist Power Systems Analysis– Grid Connection & Compliance– Project Development – Design– Software/Application Development
Established Client Base• Transmission and Distribution• Generation Manufacturers• Oil and Gas Industry• Renewable Developers• Government & Regulator
(Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government, Ofgem, DECC...)
Grid Connections 1. The transmission and distribution networks
2. Where to connect and common issues
3. The grid connection process
Source: SP Electrical Awareness
Transmission
Distribution
Distribution (Transmission in Scotland)
• Moves bulk power around the country
England & Wales:
• Operates at 400kV and 275kV
• Owned and Operated by National Grid
Scotland:
• Operates at 400kV, 275kV and 132kV
• Network is owned by:
• Scottish Power Transmission (SPT)
• Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHET)
• National Grid are still the System Operator
The Transmission Network
The Distribution Network
• Takes power from transmission system to end users
• 14 licence areas
• Operated by 6 Distribution Network Operators (DNOs)
• Complex networks with LOTS of assets
• Frequent changes to the network every week
2 license areas-North East-Yorkshire
4 license areas-East Midlands-West Midlands-South West-South Wales
3 license areas-London-Eastern -Southern
Grid Connections 1. The transmission and distribution networks
2. Where to connect and common issues
3. The grid connection process
Where to connect?
Transformer
Load
Busbar
Grid Infeed
Thermal Constraints
Where would you connect a 10MW solar farm?
A
Thermal Constraints
Where would you connect a 35MW solar farm?
A
B
C
Voltage Rise
Fault levels
Available Information
• Long Term Development Statements• Heat maps / capacity maps
Active Network Management Schemes
Grid Connections 1. The transmission and distribution networks
2. Where to connect and common issues
3. The grid connection process
> 16A per phase i.e. >3.68kW for a
single phase generator?
YES
Apply to DNO for grid connection
NO
Connection Applications
No grid connection agreement
needed. Inform the DNO after connection.
For multiple installations in the same area,
discuss with DNO first and get approval.
Submit Applicati
on90 days
Receive Offer
Up to 90 days
Accept Offer
Acceptance feeFree
Connection Applications
•Occurs if multiple generators apply for the same capacity
•DNO will issue interactive offers
Substation:
20 MW
Wind Farm 1 Applies for 15MW
DNO issues Offer
Interactive Offers
Wind Farm 2 Applies for 10MW
DNO issues
interactive Offer
DNO issues letter
stating interactivity.
Wind Farm 1 is 1st in Queue
Wind Farm 2 is 2nd in
Queue
10 day Moratorium period starts
Priority depends on Queue position
Does my generation cause
problems?
28 days
How to address
this problem?
Up to 90 days
Variation Notice
Project Progression
£4.5k - £17.2k
Request for Statement of Works£1000-£3000
Statement of Works
Costs to secure works
?
Studies and Design• Harmonics• P28 – transformer inrush, voltage step change, flicker• Load flow• Fault Level
Financial Support
• Solar over 5MW won’t be eligible for ROCs if commissioned after 31 March 2015
will need Contract for Difference• CfD application window 14th – 27th October.• Sealed bid submissions 26th Nov- 3rd December• Need planning permission and signed grid connection offer.• Strike price (theoretical maximum) £120/MWh.
Thank You
Any Questions ?