Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy
Grid Integration and Deployment in Asia
Dr Sanjay C Kuttan
Managing Director
DNV Clean Technology Centre, Singapore
Sanjay.c.kuttan@dnv.com
Outline
1.Introduction:
2.Energy resource planning:
2.1 The complexity of grid management.
2.2 The importance of energy resource map.
3.Adequacy of grid codes and standards.
4.Technical and infrastructure barrier
4.1 Technical expertise
4.2 Proximity of renewable energy resource to electricity network
4.3 Penetration levels.
5.Road Map
6.Conclusions.
Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
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1. Fossil fuel still dominates electricity generation in Asia
 Fossil fuel resources may be transported easily with a largely predictable fuel
supply.
 Coal accounts for approximately 47% of electricity production in Asia (excluding
China), and 80% for China alone.
Figure 1. Electricity generation by fuel in Asia (excluding China)
Figure 2. Electricity generation by fuel in China
Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
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2.1 Grid management becomes increasingly complex with
the integration of renewable energy
 The variable nature of renewable energy sources requires knowledge of the specific
resource characteristics.
 Energy resource map would allow planners to match potential renewable energy
sources with load demand centres.
Figure 3. Examples of load demand centres in Thailand
Figure 4. Solar energy potential resource map of Thailand
Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
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2.2 Energy resource map is a very useful tool in a country’s
renewable energy planning process.
 Provide realistic perspective on the country’s renewable energy resource potential.
 Identify potential locations for utility-scale development of renewable energy
resources.
 Identify land areas that should be excluded from utility-scale renewable energy
development.
 Show distance from energy resources to load demand centres.
Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
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3. Adequate grid codes and standards will improve network
reliability
 Unregulated grid connections will be vulnerable.
 Electric utilities should review and amend existing standards and grid codes to allow
smooth integration of renewable energy sources.
Figure 5. Grid codes and license standards
Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
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Source: Asean Residential School in Electrical Engineering
(ARSEPEO6), 9 January 2007, Universiti Tenaga Nasional
4. Technical and infrastructure barriers surrounding
renewable energy implementation.
 Technical Expertise
 Proximity of renewable energy resource to electricity network.
 Penetration levels.
- Thermal effects.
- System integrity and stability.
- Protection considerations.
Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
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4.1 Technical expertise
 Competence building is essential for any country in Asia that is serious in
progressing renewable power generation.
Figure 6. Manpower needed in the renewable energy sectors
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4.2 Proximity of renewable energy resource to electricity
network.
 The long distance between the electricity network and areas with substantial
renewable energy resources may reduce the competitiveness of these type of
projects.
Figure 7. Electricity network in Thailand
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4.3 Penetration level
 Thermal effects
It is important to investigate possible thermal effects to ensure that the existing
components are adequate in handling the loads.
 System integrity and stability
• Higher cost of operation.
• Grid stability issues.
 Protection considerations
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5. Road Map for successful integration
Assess impact
Evaluation of
of renewable
status quo
energy power
plants
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Existing &
planned power
plants
Existing
transmission
grid
Load centres
Survey of grid
readiness
Load growth &
impact studies
Current
regulations
Studying
renewable
energy
resource
availability and
location
•
•
•
Impact of
renewable
energy
introduction.
Coordination
challenges
between
thermal
power plants
& renewable
energy power
plants.
Asses
potential
risks.
•
Assess impact
Plan and
on the grid
perform due
and modelling
diligence
Scenario
analysis
of
existing
grid
and
interconnection
codes will give
planners and
policy makers
better
understanding
of
all
necessary
requirements.
•
Develop
preliminary
construction
timeline that
shows the
impact of the
schedule of
different
improvement
projects.
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•
Identify
Develop
opportunities
execution plan
Identify
opportunities
that may lead
to development
of new
constructions
or
manufacturing
capabilities for
export.
•
Anticipation of
multiple
scenarios and
paths will allow
bigger flexibility
to
accommodate
any delays or
deviations from
the original
plan.
5.1 Evaluation of status quo
• Existing & planned power plants
• Existing transmission grid
• Load centres
• Survey of grid readiness
• Load growth & impact studies
• Current regulations
• Studying renewable energy resource availability and location
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5.2 Assess impact of renewable energy power plants
• Impact of renewable energy introduction.
• Coordination challenges between thermal power plants &
renewable energy power plants.
• Asses potential risks.
Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
Asia
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5.3 Assess impact on the grid and modelling
 Scenario analysis of existing grid and interconnection codes
will give planners and policy makers better understanding of all
necessary requirements.
Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
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5.4 Plan and perform due diligence
 Develop preliminary construction
timeline that shows the impact of the
schedule of different improvement
projects.
 Evaluation the potential capacity and
technologies required
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5.5 Identify opportunities
Identify opportunities that may lead to development of :
- new constructions
- manufacturing capabilities for export
- Skill and expertise
- Training
- Maintenance
- Other services
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5.6 Develop execution plan
Anticipation of multiple scenarios and paths will allow bigger
flexibility to accommodate any delays or deviations from the
original plan.
Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
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Conclusion
 Grid complexity can be overcome by developing a systematic planning process.
 Focus on the existing and planned electricity system before developing renewable
energy road map.
 Planners and policy makers should always identify new opportunities and develop
multiple scenarios associated with the implementation of renewable energy
resources.
Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
Asia
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Key Technical Issues for Renewable Energy Grid Integration and Deployment in
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