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Reference Number NIA_SSEPD_0019
Title Western Isles Network Resilient Zone Utilizing Embedded Generation - Feasibility Study
Status Completed
Energy Categories Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics) 10%;
Renewable Energy Sources(Wind Energy) 10%;
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 80%;
Research Types Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Project Contact
No email address given
Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD)
Award Type Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source Ofgem
Start Date 01 November 2015
End Date 01 May 2016
Duration 6 months
Total Grant Value £46,500
Industrial Sectors Power
Region Scotland
Programme Network Innovation Allowance
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Project Contact , Scottish Hydro Electric Power Distribution plc (SHEPD) (99.999%)
  Other Investigator Project Contact , Southern Electric Power Distribution plc (SEPD) (0.001%)
Web Site http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_SSEPD_0019
Objectives The study is to determine the potential to improve the resilience of supply to customers in the Western Isles and to reduce the use of diesel generation by including the output from embedded renewable generation. The aim of this project is to determine the viability of options to enhance the operation of remote rural networks by using embedded renewable generation. The delivery of a study which; Determines the viability of options to permit the operation of the network in island mode. ; Determines the potential to utilize the increasing volume of wind generation on the islands and consequently to reduce the running hours of the embedded diesel generation plant.
Abstract Within the SHEPD licence area there are a large number of island communities and many of these communities now have an increasing amount of renewable generation connected to the local distribution network. In the event of network failures due to weather related events or equipment failure then the established conventional practice is that embedded renewable generation is disconnected from the network until the fault is rectified and the electrical network is returned to normal. Many of these rural communities have difficult access arrangements such as those located on islands where the usual access is by sea which can often exacerbate the delay in reconnection due to their remoteness. A second specific local issue on the Western Isles is that we are unable to include the renewable generation output when the local island demand exceeds the capacity of the mainland cable interconnector. The output from the renewable generation is considered less secure and, as a consequence, local island diesel generation is run to ensure import will remain less than the cable rating should the renewable generation be disconnected for whatever reason. The concept of operating isolated sections of the GB distribution network in island mode has been considered previously but there are a number of factors preventing this being common practise. The aim of this project is to determine the potential to improve the resilience of supply to customers in the Western Isles and to reduce the use of diesel generation by incorporating the output from embedded renewable generation. A feasibility study will consider two aspects:; in normal operational mode; when the island load minus the renewable generation output approaches the rating of the subsea interconnector cabling then the local diesel generation is started. At present a minimum of two sets are required to run to ensure that the network can cater for the loss of the largest diesel. Renewable generation installations and diesel generation units would work together. Innovative technical and commercial arrangements may be required. The local distribution network would require to operate effectively under fault conditions. ; in island running mode; in the event of disconnection of the Western Isles from the mainland grid then to continue operation utilising both the embedded diesel generation in conjunction with renewable wind generation. Renewable generation installations and diesel generation units would work together to assist in off-grid island operation. Innovative technical and commercial arrangements may be required. The local distribution network would require to operate effectively under fault conditions and to allow reconnection back to the mainland once grid power has been restored.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
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Added to Database 17/12/18