Grid Island Energy Transition Scenarios Assessment Through Network Reliability and Power Flow Analysis

E K Hussain,Jon Hardwick,Peter M Connor,Mohammad Abusara,Philipp R Thies

doi:10.3389/fenrg.2020.584440

Abstract

This paper presents a methodology for the reliability and power flow analysis of islands or off-grid power networks for situations of scarce data and information. It offers a new and pragmatic approach to derive the required power network information, including the power cable parameters and the load at each power node. The paper aims to present the developed methodology, and to illustrate its application, using Ushant Island as a case study. The assessment of the current power network status and the reliability analysis are presented. Grid performance parameters are further compared for conventional diesel generator operation and renewable energy generation scenarios, demonstrating the advantages of replacing the existing diesel units with renewable energy sources in terms of system reliability. The analysis shows that by introducing renewable energy systems to the island’s grid, the reliability of the grid increases by up to 50% and cable capacity usage reduces by up to 30%. Furthermore, this work suggests that it would not be necessary to modify the grid cables when substituting the diesel generator. The paper will be of interest to network planners, community stakeholders, project developers and decision-makers concerned with renewable energy investment on islands and in remote rural areas.

Highlights

Many islands and remote communities have no connection to wider electricity distribution systems and are dependent on imported energy supplies, typically fossil fuels
The results indicate that renewable energy is most feasible for the majority of island and submarine cable interaction and considerably more promising for larger islands
Moving to replace the fossil fuel to renewable energy sources is the target for the research and the government institutions on islands or remote areas

Summary

Introduction

Many islands and remote communities have no connection to wider electricity distribution systems and are dependent on imported energy supplies, typically fossil fuels. The energy systems that isolated communities depend on tend to be less reliable, more expensive and have higher per-capita associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions than mainland grid systems. Moving from fossil fuel to renewable energy and increasing the penetration of renewable energy generation in the island’s power grid is a research topic of interest. Existing literature explores the transition from diesel-based generation to renewable energy by studying the energy demand and the available renewable energy sources combination, offering a range of approaches and tools, briefly summarized in the following.

Methods

Findings

Discussion

Conclusion