2010

School of Electrical Engineering &Telecom

munications

UNSW ENGINEERING @ UNSW

14

Author: David Sproule Academic Supervisor: Associate Professor Iain Macgill

Grid-Connection of Commercial PV Systems Recent Growth In Commercial PV: 2013 and 2014 has seen a rapid increase in the number of businesses and industries installing solar power as an economically viable and clean source of energy. Commercial-sized PV systems range from 30kW(3Ø) to 5MW(3Ø), and are ideally suited for many businesses. These ‘grid-connected’ systems supply power to the local loads, and return excess power to the grid. PV is a great choice for many reasons.

Recommendations: •  Accreditation and training for commercial solar

installers, and university level professional development courses for DNSP engineers in the operation and characteristics of PV systems.

However, there are numerous barriers to getting commercial-sized PV systems connected to the grid. There is little standardisation of the application and connection processes between the 13 Distribution Network Service Providers (DNSPs) who manage the National Electricity Market (NEM), and the complexity of commercial systems has required new standards. Figure 2 demonstrates the complexity of the current connection processes.

Figure 1: Operational location of the 13 DNSPs in

the NEM.

Abstract: This thesis project identifies and analyses the primary barriers (experienced by solar installers) to the connection of commercial PV systems, and subsequently develops the specification and scope for an industry tool that would be useful in streamlining this process. Methodology:

Figure 2: ‘Overview’ of the connection process

Targeted study and review of the technical and regulatory standards and reports.

Semi-structured interviews with a diverse range of key industry stakeholders to gain valuable ‘everyday’ perspectives. Research approved by the UNSW Human Research Ethics Advisory (HREA) Panel H [approval number 08/2014/50].

Barriers Key Details from Reports and Interviews

Unexpected Costs & Delays

Expensive network studies, large variation in processing times, unclear legal frameworks, installers forced to quote conservatively.

DNSP Requirements

Secondary anti-islanding protection required for network security, but no standardised settings, increasing approval waiting times and complaints to DNSPs. Unacceptable business contract terms such as “unlimited-liability”.

Training Lack of training and accreditation for commercial solar installers. Also, strong call for professional development for DNSP engineers due to a lack of understanding on the characteristics of PV systems.

Locating Relevant

Information

Difficulties locating relevant information due to restricted access, poor website design, or complete lack of standards. Personal contacts considered most effective.

Regulatory Changes

The National Electricity Objective (NEO) has a single ‘economic’ bottom line. Broad regulatory changes are needed to see streamline connection processes.

Standardisation Little standardisation between DNSPs. Requires a central driving force to achieve this.

Culture & Attitudes

Varied attitudes from progressive to very conservative. PV is a ‘disruptive technology’ to the DNSPs business model, who generally take a reactive approach to R&D in this area. Change will only be achieved with broad regulatory revisions, bipartisan education and economic viability for the DNSPs (e.g., via battery storage of solar power to meet peak load demands).

References: AECOM, “Embedded Generation Connection Guide”, Nov. 2012. Noone, B, “PV Integration of Australian Distribution Networks”, Sept. 2013. Neill, S, “Commercial Scale Inverter Energy System Integration Workshop”, Apr. 2013. CEC, “Future Proofing Australia’s Electricity Distribution Industry”, Jul. 2014. Track Energy. “Commercial PV Solar”, (Track Energy), [online GRAPHIC], unknown, http://trackenergy.com.au/commercial-pv-solar/ Garcia, Manuel. “25 Free Lined Paper Textures for Design Projects”, (Designrs Hub), [online GRAPHIC], 2012, http://designrshub.com/2012/08/free-lined-paper-textures.html

Results:

ONLINE CONNECTION

GUIDEDeliverable:

Specification and scope for a web-based “whole of process time-line” displaying obvious deviations and variables. This tool can easily be updated by the DNSP when standards are changed.

Features: •  Links to standards on each

DNSP’s website. •  Approved equipment

registries. •  Approved testing

procedures. •  Contacts within DNSP.

•  Continuing of bipartisan projects such as the CEC’s Future Proofing in Australia’s Electricity Distribution Industry Project (FPDI).

Conclusion: Despite the identified barriers, with broad support from both network providers and the PV industry, tools such as the Online Connection Guide will help streamline the application and connection processes, helping to build Australia’s renewable energy future.

Review of Industry Reports

Interviews

Develop a specific tool to assist industry to streamline the connection process.

Provide further recommendations from to assist the growth of the commercial PV industry.

Industry Tool

Further Recommendations

All in order to simplify the connection of commercial PV systems to the grid

Figure 3: Typical Commercial PV System Design