Grid Connections for Solar

How to get connected and current issues

Thursday 7th August

Sarah Weatherhead, TNEI Services Ltd

TNEI Services Ltd

• Two core-groups– Power Systems & Technology– Planning & Environment

• Manchester, Newcastle and Glasgow– 60 Staff - 15 nationalities– Predominantly UK and Europe footprint– Increasing international workload– Expanding range of design and technical site services

• Acquired by Petrofac in June 2010

• Solar Energy UK Conference and ExhibitionNEC, Birmingham 14 – 16 October 2014

Why are TNEI relevant ?

Development Pipeline

Site Selection Design Consenting Build

• GIS sieving (including topology, aspect, flood risk and Global Horizontal Irradiance)• Environmental Constraints mapping• Grid Feasibility

• Power System Design• Layout Design• Grid Connection Applications

• Planning Applications• Community Consultation• Environmental Impact Assessments•Planning Appeals, Enquiries and Hearings

Power Systems & Technology

• Key Markets:– Electrical Transmission and Distribution

Utilities– Renewable Industry– Oil & Gas Industry

• Services:– Strategic Infrastructure Planning &

Technology Assessment– Regulation, Technical Strategy & Due

Diligence– Specialist Power Systems Analysis– Grid Connection & Compliance– Project Development – Design– Software/Application Development

Established Client Base• Transmission and Distribution• Generation Manufacturers• Oil and Gas Industry• Renewable Developers• Government & Regulator

(Scottish Enterprise, Scottish Government, Ofgem, DECC...)

Grid Connections 1. The transmission and distribution networks

2. Where to connect and common issues

3. The grid connection process

Source: SP Electrical Awareness

Transmission

Distribution

Distribution (Transmission in Scotland)

• Moves bulk power around the country

England & Wales:

• Operates at 400kV and 275kV

• Owned and Operated by National Grid

Scotland:

• Operates at 400kV, 275kV and 132kV

• Network is owned by:

• Scottish Power Transmission (SPT)

• Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHET)

• National Grid are still the System Operator

The Transmission Network

The Distribution Network

• Takes power from transmission system to end users

• 14 licence areas

• Operated by 6 Distribution Network Operators (DNOs)

• Complex networks with LOTS of assets

• Frequent changes to the network every week

2 license areas-North East-Yorkshire

4 license areas-East Midlands-West Midlands-South West-South Wales

3 license areas-London-Eastern -Southern

Grid Connections 1. The transmission and distribution networks

2. Where to connect and common issues

3. The grid connection process

Where to connect?

Transformer

Load

Busbar

Grid Infeed

Thermal Constraints

Where would you connect a 10MW solar farm?

A

Thermal Constraints

Where would you connect a 35MW solar farm?

A

B

C

Voltage Rise

Fault levels

Available Information

• Long Term Development Statements• Heat maps / capacity maps

Active Network Management Schemes

Grid Connections 1. The transmission and distribution networks

2. Where to connect and common issues

3. The grid connection process

> 16A per phase i.e. >3.68kW for a

single phase generator?

YES

Apply to DNO for grid connection

NO

Connection Applications

No grid connection agreement

needed. Inform the DNO after connection.

For multiple installations in the same area,

discuss with DNO first and get approval.

Submit Applicati

on90 days

Receive Offer

Up to 90 days

Accept Offer

Acceptance feeFree

Connection Applications

•Occurs if multiple generators apply for the same capacity

•DNO will issue interactive offers

Substation:

20 MW

Wind Farm 1 Applies for 15MW

DNO issues Offer

Interactive Offers

Wind Farm 2 Applies for 10MW

DNO issues

interactive Offer

DNO issues letter

stating interactivity.

Wind Farm 1 is 1st in Queue

Wind Farm 2 is 2nd in

Queue

10 day Moratorium period starts

Priority depends on Queue position

Does my generation cause

problems?

28 days

How to address

this problem?

Up to 90 days

Variation Notice

Project Progression

£4.5k - £17.2k

Request for Statement of Works£1000-£3000

Statement of Works

Costs to secure works

?

Studies and Design• Harmonics• P28 – transformer inrush, voltage step change, flicker• Load flow• Fault Level

Financial Support

• Solar over 5MW won’t be eligible for ROCs if commissioned after 31 March 2015

will need Contract for Difference• CfD application window 14th – 27th October.• Sealed bid submissions 26th Nov- 3rd December• Need planning permission and signed grid connection offer.• Strike price (theoretical maximum) £120/MWh.

Thank You

Any Questions ?