Grid-connected Renewable Energy Research Articles

The impact of state feed-in tariffs and federal tradable quota support policies on grid-connected small wind turbine installed capacity in Australia

Until recently, Australian federal renewable energy tradable quota policy support mechanisms were modest and failed to differentiate between technologies at different stages of industry development. Subsequent changes to federal tradable quota schemes and the development of a number of state-based feed-in tariffs (FiTs) have attempted to overcome recent deficiencies. This research discusses the relationships between federal and state-based support policies, small wind turbine (SWT) system installed capacity, and the intricacies of developing instruments that sustain the renewable energy industry over time. The research found the lack of due diligence in policy mechanism development generated poor outcomes for the small-scale renewable energy industry and a higher level of political risk. Australian state-based FiTs were generally poorly designed with respect to known risks, and are unlikely to promote sustainable industry development for small-scale grid-connected renewable energy systems, including SWT systems. The research suggests detailed independent and collaborative policy development is necessary (prior to policy implementation) that considers a range of technology types, the influence of other cross-jurisdictional support mechanisms, and regionally-specific system technical performance and project development costs. The recent 'mixed bag' of Australian support mechanisms have resulted in fluctuating private costs for small-scale systems, which has lead to disruptive industry expansion and contraction with ironically unsustainable regularity.

The development of renewable energy power in India: Which policies have been effective?

The International Energy Agency has identified the development of renewable energy sources as a key element to mitigate climate change. At the same time it has projected India to be the second-largest contributor to the increase in global energy demand to 2035. India hence faces a significant challenge to ensure its energy security by diversifying its power generation mix. In the wake of the creation of a Green Climate Fund in Cancun, this paper studies empirically the effect of the introduction of the Electricity Act 2003 and the Tariff Policy 2006, as well as the implementation of feed-in tariffs and minimum quotas on clean electricity sourcing, on the development of grid-connected renewable energy power in nine Indian States over the period 2001–2009. Results suggest that the passing of the Tariff Policy 2006, state-level policies, quantity-based instruments and a greater participation of the private sector have played a key role in promoting the development of installed capacity from renewable energy power in the nine States of the sample.

Grid-connected renewable energy in China: Policies and institutions under gradualism, developmentalism, and socialism

This communication displays some of our on-going research on the incompleteness of China's advances toward “best practice” in policy-making and institution-building for renewables. In particular, this paper: (1) summarizes how Chinese policies and institutions for the deployment of renewable electricity are only partially compliant with what is internationally recognized as “best practice”; and (2) contextualizes Chinese policies and institutions for renewables in the broader picture of China's political economy. Much as a political economy perspective has aided the understanding of why Chinese economic reforms were partial and unique, the said contextualization might help explain why China's policies and institutions for renewables diverge from “best practice”. Further, given that China proved successful in promoting its economic growth with partial and unique reforms, the partiality and uniqueness of its renewables policies and institutions need not impede the rapid development of renewable electricity. This on-going research has so far combined a review of specialized literature and the business press with semi-structured interviews held with relevant actors in policy, business, and research related to renewable energies.

A Control Design Approach for Three-Phase Grid-Connected Renewable Energy Resources

This paper presents a method to design a control system for a three-phase voltage source converter (VSC) that connects a renewable energy source to the utility grid through an output L-type or LCL-type filter. The well-known abc/dq transformation method creates coupling terms that are visible and can readily be canceled in the L-type filter. Such terms, however, are very complicated when an LCL filter is used. This paper, first revisits the derivation of the decoupling control method for an L-ype output filter and then, for the first time, derives the decoupling terms for an LCL-type filter. Having successfully decoupled the real and reactive power loops, feedback controllers are presented and designed to achieve desirable performance. The proposed controller provides active damping of the LCL resonance mode, robustness with respect to grid frequency, and impedance uncertainty. Moreover, a new controller is designed to improve the startup transient of the system. The methodology used in this paper is inspired from the feedback linearization theory and it provides a clear design method for the nonlinear systems. Simulation results are presented to confirm the analytical results.

Small-scale (≤6 kW e) stand-alone and grid-connected photovoltaic, wind, hydroelectric, biodiesel, and wood gasification system’s simulated technical, economic, and mitigation analyses for rural regions in Western Australia

This research develops models and simulations of technical performance, net emission reductions, and discounted market values of thirteen small-scale (≤6 kW e) renewable energy projects. The research uses a simple methodology suitable for small private entities and governments to compare alternative investment options for both climate change mitigation and adaptation in the southwest of Western Australia. The system simulation and modelling results indicate that privately-owned, small-scale, grid-connected renewable energy systems were not competitive options for private entities relative to sourcing electricity from electricity networks, despite subsidies. The total discounted capital and operating costs, combined with the minimal mitigation potentials of the small-scale renewable energy systems resulted in unnecessarily high electricity costs and equivalent carbon prices, relative to grid-connection and large-scale clean energy systems. In contrast, this research suggests that small-scale renewable energy systems are cost-effective for both private entities and governments and exhibit good mitigation potentials when installed in remote locations far from the electricity network, mostly displacing diesel capacity.

The Development of Renewable Energy Power in India: Which Policies Have Been Effective?

The International Energy Agency has identified the development of renewable energy sources as a key element to mitigate climate change. At the same time it has projected India to be the second-largest contributor to the increase in global energy demand to 2035. India hence faces a significant challenge to ensure its energy security by diversifying its power generation mix. In the wake of the creation of a Green Climate Fund in Cancun, this paper studies empirically the effect of the introduction of the Electricity Act 2003 and the Tariff Policy 2006, as well as the implementation of feed-in tariffs and minimum quotas on clean electricity sourcing, on the development of grid-connected renewable energy power in nine Indian States over the period 2001-2009. Results suggest that the passing of the Tariff Policy 2006, state-level policies, quantity-based instruments and a greater participation of the private sector have played a key role in promoting the development of installed capacity from renewable energy power in the nine States of the sample.

PLAYING THE MARKET REFORM CARD: THE CHANGING PATTERNS OF POLITICAL STRUGGLE IN CHINA'S ELECTRIC POWER SECTOR

Previous articleNext article No AccessPLAYING THE MARKET REFORM CARD: THE CHANGING PATTERNS OF POLITICAL STRUGGLE IN CHINA'S ELECTRIC POWER SECTORLing ChenLing Chen Search for more articles by this author PDFPDF PLUS Add to favoritesDownload CitationTrack CitationsPermissionsReprints Share onFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail SectionsMoreDetailsFiguresReferencesCited by The China Journal Volume 64July 2010 Published on behalf of the Australian Centre on China in the World at the Australian National University Article DOIhttps://doi.org/10.1086/tcj.64.20749247 Views: 79Total views on this site Citations: 19Citations are reported from Crossref © The China JournalPDF download Crossref reports the following articles citing this article:Jun Xu, Xuelu Cao Regulatory institutional reform of the power sector in China, Energy and Climate Change 3 (Dec 2022): 100082.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egycc.2022.100082Michael R. Davidson, Margaret M. Pearson Static Electricity: Institutional and Ideational Barriers to China’s Market Reforms, Studies in Comparative International Development 57, no.33 (May 2022): 385–409.https://doi.org/10.1007/s12116-022-09358-9Y D Burda, A V Kosygina, I O Volkova, M V Gorgisheli, A Y Yakovleva, K V Suslov Development of electric power systems based on the use of intelligent technologies, IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering 1064, no.11 (Feb 2021): 012007.https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/1064/1/012007 Bibliography, (Jan 2021): 171–192.https://doi.org/10.1108/978-1-83982-464-720201009Zichao Yu Beyond the state/market dichotomy: Institutional innovations in China's electricity industry reform, Journal of Environmental Management 264 (Jun 2020): 110306.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2020.110306Chih-Shian Liou, Chung-Min Tsai The Governing Paradox in a Transition Economy: Repeated Institutional Reforms and Increasing Regulatory Capture in China’s Energy Sector, Problems of Post-Communism 67, no.22 (May 2019): 156–168.https://doi.org/10.1080/10758216.2019.1604144Elizabeth Chatterjee The Asian Anthropocene: Electricity and Fossil Developmentalism, The Journal of Asian Studies 79, no.11 (Sep 2019): 3–24.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021911819000573Michael Davidson Technology Integration in China’s Electricity System: Central Targets and Local Challenges, (May 2019): 134–176.https://doi.org/10.1017/9781108645997.004Mengye Zhu, Ye Qi, David Belis, Jiaqi Lu, Bart Kerremans The China wind paradox: The role of state-owned enterprises in wind power investment versus wind curtailment, Energy Policy 127 (Apr 2019): 200–212.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2018.10.059Chuntian Cheng, Fu Chen, Gang Li, Bora Ristić, Ali Mirchi, Tu Qiyu, Kaveh Madani Reform and renewables in China: The architecture of Yunnan's hydropower dominated electricity market, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 94 (Oct 2018): 682–693.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2018.06.033Geoffrey Chun-fung Chen The Chinese State, the Perceived Environmental Crisis, and the Mixed Paradigm for Diffusing Non-Hydro Renewable Energy, (Jun 2016): 115–165.https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-30969-9_4Chau-Kiu Cheung, Eileen Yuk-Ha Tsang Political-Economic Coalition among Entrepreneurs, Professionals, and Cadres in Guangdong, China, Sociological Research Online 20, no.44 (Nov 2015): 45–57.https://doi.org/10.5153/sro.3798Yin-Fang Zhang The Regulatory Framework and Sustainable Development of China's Electricity Sector, The China Quarterly 222 (Jun 2015): 475–498.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0305741015000727Lixia Yao, Youngho Chang Shaping China's energy security: The impact of domestic reforms, Energy Policy 77 (Feb 2015): 131–139.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2014.12.014Chung-min Tsai Regulating China's Power Sector: Creating an Independent Regulator without Autonomy, The China Quarterly 218 (May 2014): 452–473.https://doi.org/10.1017/S0305741014000381Philip Andrews-Speed Reform Postponed, (Jan 2013): 531–567.https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-397891-2.00018-3CLARA GARCÍA Policies and Institutions for Grid-Connected Renewable Energy: “Best Practice” and The Case of China, Governance 26, no.11 (Aug 2012): 119–146.https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0491.2012.01603.xClara García Grid-connected renewable energy in China: Policies and institutions under gradualism, developmentalism, and socialism, Energy Policy 39, no.1212 (Dec 2011): 8046–8050.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2011.09.059Clara Garcia Grid-Connected Renewable Energy in China: Policies and Institutions in a Socialist Market Economy, (Nov 2011): 2538–2545.https://doi.org/10.3384/ecp110572538

Power Quality in Grid connected Renewable Energy Systems: Role of Custom Power Devices

This paper presents a technical review of power quality problems associated with the renewable based distributed generation systems and how custom power devices (CPD) such as STATCOM, DVR and UPQC play an important role in power quality improvement. IEEE and IEC standards for grid connected renewable energy systems are one of the critical points of interest for the selection of custom power devices. PV and wind energy systems integration issues and associated PQ problems are discussed. The role of CPDs in enhancing the integration of renewables and providing quality power through custom power park are described.

Grid-connected renewable energy source systems: Challenges and proposed management schemes

As a result of the world’s rapid socioeconomic growth and environmental concerns, exploring diverse energy resources besides fossil fuel has become a necessity and not an optional mission. Even for the oil wealthy nations, adopting energy-mix policy has become a strategic goal that is profoundly sought. As preliminary outcome, investments in renewable energy source (RES) systems in arid region nations have taken tangible steps in planning and policy making. RES has several appealing factors; however, most countries where regulated or vertically integrated electric power systems are the principal methods for supplying the demand are cautious. Most of the electric utilities in these countries are putting reservations on RES due to the lack of monitoring and control of these grid-connected RES systems that might contribute to the instability of the electric grid. This paper identified the challenges and concerns of grid-connected RES. Moreover, it presented possible RES interconnection management schemes for the vertically integrated electric power systems.

A pre-feasibility case study on integrated resource planning including renewables

In recent years, economical and environmental constraints force governments and energy policy decision-makers to change the prominent characteristics of the electricity markets. Accordingly, depending on local conditions on the demand side, usage of integrated resource planning approaches in conjunction with renewable technologies has gained more importance. In this respect, an integrated resource planning option, which includes the design and optimization of grid-connected renewable energy plants, should be evaluated to facilitate a cost-effective and green solution to a sustainable future. In this paper, an integrated resource planning case is studied for an educational campus, located in Gebze, Turkey. It is found that for the considered campus, the integrated resource planning scenario that includes renewables as a supply-side option with existing time-of-use tariff may provide a cost-effective energy production, particularly for the high penetration level of the renewables.