VRE Tutorial: Lessons Learned from Grid Integration of Variable Renewable Energies

Lecture 1 (45 min.)
Lessons learned from Grid Integration of VRE: Activities in 20 Countries
Thomas Ackermann (Energynautics, Germany)

Thomas Ackermann will share his experiences of 25 years of world-wide work in the area of grid integration of renewables and electric vehicles. The presentation will give an overview of challenges and lessons learned.

Discussion (15 min)

Lecture 2 (45 min.)
Lessons Learned from Grid Integration of VRE: Resource Adequacy and System Balancing
Debra Lew (ESIG, USA)

Variable renewable energy resources create challenges for utilities to meet resource adequacy requirements because VRE may not be coincident with system peak demand and VRE output during system peak periods varies inter-annually. We discuss how methods for determining resource adequacy may need to be modified to consider high penetrations of VRE. High penetrations of VRE can contribute significant variability and uncertainty to the system operators‘ responsibility of balancing the system. In this lecture, we cover many mitigation options for system balancing and considerations that each utility must undertake to determine what makes the most sense for their system.

Discussion (15 min)

Break

Lecture 3 (45 min.)
Lessons Learned from Grid Integration of VRE:  Frequency Control and System Stability
Nicholas Miller (HickoryLedge, USA)

The dynamic performance of interconnected power systems, especially the transient response to grid disturbances, is substantially changed by the substitution of inverter-based variable renewable resources (IBVRE) for traditional synchronous generation. Ability to maintain frequency control following loss of major generation units or interconnectors is strongly influenced by reduced synchronous inertia and rapidly responding IBVRE. Transient stability, particularly first swing stability between importing and exporting systems can be radically altered by IBVRE. This lecture will explore lessons learned in large-scale integration studies, including opportunities to improve utilization of transmission infrastructure beyond levels possible today with predominantly synchronous generation.

Discussion (15 min)

Lecture 4 (45 min.)
Lessons Learned from Grid Integration of VRE: A Personal Perspective. GB Transmission.
Helge Urdal (Urdal Power Solutions, United Kingdom)

Helge Urdal will present a transmission perspective of desirable characteristics from power sources. He will share his own experiences related to obtaining these capabilities from 1970s up to 2020, including how in GB from a time of dominance of coal, via a first transition to gas and then how the move has been made on to relying on VRE, mainly wind. Helge will consider some of the system technical challenges in GB of the next 30 years, starting with Future Energy Scenarios, covering how new enhanced services from VRE will be in focus. Helge will also touch on choice of drivers / incentives, either mandating outcomes through Grid Codes or encouraging via Ancillary Services Markets or combinations of the two approaches.

Discussion (15 min)