GRID CONNECTION WORKSHOPA PRACTICAL GUIDE TO THE GRID

CONNECTION PROCESS AND A LOOK AT ALTERNATIVE CONNECTION OPTIONS

S Steven Gough

Innovation and Low Carbon Network Engineer

Presentation Outline

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• Western Power Distribution DG Levels

• Challenges of connecting DG• The connection process• Generation capacity maps• Current South West constraints• Alternative Connections

Western Power Distribution DG Levels

Integration of DG

Western Power Distribution DG Levels

• 7.8 Million Customers

• 55,000 sq km area

• 216,000 kms of linear assets

• 184,000 substations

• DG Capacity Connected up to Q3 2014 – MVA

• DG Connected March to September 2014 – MVA

• DG Capacity Offered and Accepted – MVA

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4,100

640

8,800

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LOW CARBON

TECHNOLOGIES

LOW CARBON GENERATION

VOLTAGE RISE/DROP VOLTAGE STABILITYHARMONIC IMPACTTHERMAL CAPACITY

BI-DIRECTIONAL ENERGY FLOWEQUIPMENT SUITABILITYPOWER FACTORFAULT LEVEL

Challenges of Connecting DG

The connection process

• Submit application to New Supplies on a ENA form with relevant plans

• Application sent to the relevant department

• We clarify any additional information

• We prepare the Connection Offer Letter which included the connection and reinforcement costs

• You need to accept the Offer Letter and pay the deposit

• The works are started

Top Tip - If you need a cost indication you can request a Budget Estimate free of charge without applying for a full offer or have a discussion with your planner

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Connections teams

• LV generator connections – Local LV planner

• Domestic generation

• Smaller commercial generation

• Up to roughly 200kW export

• 11kV generation - Local 11kV planner

• Typically greater 100kW export

• Depending on constraints up to 5MW export

• 33kV and 132kV connections - Primary System Design

• At least 1MW export

• Based in Bristol, Cardiff, Tipton or East Midlands Airport

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Additional information

General information on new connectionshttp://www.westernpower.co.uk/Connections/New-Connections.aspx

http://www.westernpower.co.uk/Connections/Generation.aspx

Online applicationshttp://www.westernpower.co.uk/Connections/New-Connections/Apply.aspx

Technical policies http://www.westernpowertechinfo.co.uk/

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Generation Capacity Maps

• Estimated capacity on 11kV/LV substations• Highlighted 33kV with voltage or thermal issues• Generation Capacity Register• Greater visibility of our network.

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Major constraints / issues in S West

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TIMED

• Generation curtailed within specific times

• Sub 1MVA

• Modelled seasonal capacity variations

• Localised control only

• No comms

• May have for voltage constraint

• Non-optimised

SOFT-INTERTRIP

• Releases pre-fault capacity with trip facility

• 11kV and 33kV

• Real-time monitored values

• Small clusters of generation or simple pinch points

• Existing monitoring with localised control

ACTIVE NETWORK MANAGEMENT

• Fully optimises capacity based on all constraints

• Management of generation using LIFO principles

• Real-time granular control of output

• Requires new Active Network Management control and monitoring systems

Costs, Complexity & Network Optimisation

101010110100

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Alternative Connections

Standard Connection Conventional connection (with CAF, where applicable)

Traditionally all connection agreements have been in a single format.

Alternative Connections can also be connected under three additional commercial arrangements.

Enduring Alternative Connection Alternative connection (no CAF)

Interim Alternative Connection Alternative until reinforcement complete (CAF)

Part Standard, Part Alternative Increase capacity of existing standard connection with additional Alternative capacity ‘top up’

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Alternative Connections

Trade-offs between Alternative Connections and Conventional Reinforcement

Up Front Cost Ongoing Cost

Timed connections Low Curtailment (fixed by timed restrictions, i.e. 11.3%)

Soft intertrip Medium Curtailment (depending on network conditions, and “sub-optimal”)

ANM Medium Curtailment (depending on network conditions, “optimal” curtailment)Capacity-based subscription fee

Conventional Reinforcement High / Medium / Low None

All connections designed as ‘non-firm’ will be switched off for abnormal running

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Thank you

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www.westernpowerinnovation.co.uk

wpdinnovation@westernpower.co.uk