Supporting Renewable Energy Laborelec Activity Highlights

Transcription

1 Supporting Renewable Energy 2015 Laborelec Activity Highlights

2 SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORELEC ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS Message from Raphaël Schoentgen and Michaël Marique MEETING CHALLENGES TOGETHER Dear Reader, Responding to the increasing expectations of our customers, and keeping well ahead of the curve in the face of the exciting and disruptive evolutions in the sector were the twin focus in 2015 for ENGIE Lab Laborelec. And it was a remarkable year of rapid change: solar energy integration, connected homes, small-scale energy storage, the explosion of electric mobility onto the market, and smarter grids responsive to both consumer and generation fluctuations. 2 David Plas Raphaël Schoentgen, Chairman of the Board of Directors In order to cope with these challenges, ENGIE Lab Laborelec constantly adapts to provide the very best service, and remain at the cutting edge of technology. In 2015, we reshaped how we respond to the specialist needs of our customers by putting in place a new client segmentation structure. And our labs, centres of competence for the Group and its customers, have also been in a permanent state of evolution, with the creation of new specialist areas and the reorganisation of established specialisms cybersecurity, energy storage, solar, wind and hydro, 3D printing, CO2 and air quality, smart homes and green mobility were all under the spotlight among others. The evolutions in the energy scene don t just impact our organisation and its activities, they also have a huge impact on the business of our customers. In 2015, ENGIE Lab Laborelec continued to help its worldwide customers through the energy transition, not only through operational assistance, but also through de-risking, development and demonstration projects. This report focuses on just a few of our activity highlights in the domain of renewable energy technologies in We hope you enjoy reading about our activities. If you do, look out also for our companion reports on Conventional Power Generation and Power Grids and Industry. David Plas Raphaël Schoentgen, Chairman of the Board Michaël Marique, M a n a g i n g D i r e c t o r Michaël Marique, Managing Director

3 ENGIE Lab Laborelec has extensive infrastructure at its Belgian headquarters for testing solar technology systems, including fixed racks, a tracking system, test bench and monitoring equipment. In addition, the multifunctional testing and monitoring platform is connected to the Smart Home Energy Lab, Batteries Lab and an on-site microgrid, allowing investigation of a broad range of applications. SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORELEC ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS TESTING NEW SOLAR POWER TECHNOLOGIES Multifunctional testing and monitoring platform There is a continuous stream of new developments and products in the field of solar power technologies. The application domains are becoming increasingly diverse, ranging from large-scale solar installations to smaller decentralised energy solutions. But which technology is the best fit for each application? ENGIE Lab Laborelec has the tools, the expertise and the partners to offer an answer. Prior to operations and market launch ENGIE Lab Laborelec has developed a multifunctional platform for the testing and monitoring, prior to operational use or launch on the market, of promising photovoltaic technologies and systems. The platform allows physical data to be collected from pilot programmes and test benches in different climatic conditions around the world. It also enables the testing of innovative operational and maintenance solutions. Testing integrated solutions The platform doesn t just look at PV modules, it also examines entire systems. This can include, for example, the performance and business potential of micro-inverters, a relatively new technology allowing solar panels to instantly switch from AC to DC. The insight gained means that authoritative advice can be given on the best available PV system technology for a given application. In the past year, ENGIE Lab Laborelec has also been testing the performance and operational behaviour of organic PV modules under various irradiation conditions. Later in 2016, it will start investigating the potential of such technology for integration into a building, using a pilot installation at its offices in Brussels. Advising on the best technology for each application The multifunctional testing and monitoring platform enables ENGIE Lab Laborelec to gain expert insight into the operational performance of promising solar technologies in targeted meteorological conditions. The insight gained means that the company can give authoritative advice to customers on the best available PV system technology for a given application. 3

4 SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORELEC ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS 4 The rapid rise of large photovoltaic power farms, such as the Los Loros project in Chile, brings new challenges to the power grid. ENGIE Lab Laborelec has developed a carefully designed dynamic control model to ensure the plant is grid code compliant and can be operated cost-effectively and without problem. The Los Loros Solar Power Project uses around 178,200 photovoltaic panels, with a total capacity of 54 MWp and is estimated to produce 115 GWh of electricity per year. A 6.78 km 110 kv transmission line will be built to connect the solar farm to the interconnected system. Grid code compliance challenges Previous projects suffered from delays and extra costs due to grid code compliance problems. For this reason, ENGIE Lab Laborelec was asked to analyse the grid connection and set up a power system simulation model. Grid connection should not only allow the transfer of power, but also the provision of grid services such as voltage control. It should also enable two-way communication, informing the operator about the park s status and allowing the operator in turn to send control signals to the park. Adding to the complexity of the project, the power grid in Chile is very sensitive and has a complex architecture. Providing the right control architecture The power plant control model developed by ENGIE Lab Laborelec is adapted to the location and specific configuration of the solar power park so that appropriate control performance can be achieved. In this way the stability of the system is safeguarded when the situation somewhere on the power grid suddenly changes, for instance in the event of a major disruption in the transmission system. ENGIE Lab Laborelec has developed a dynamic control model to ensure the plant is grid code compliant and can be operated cost-effectively Currently, the project is moving forward to the next phase, in which the plant is being prepared for connection to the grid. During this phase, ENGIE Lab Laborelec will validate the dynamic power plant control model through onsite measuring. As ENGIE Lab Laborelec is also experienced in field measurements and conventional plants, it has the knowledge to manipulate the control and power signal without any risk to the plant. CONNECTING SOLAR FARMS TO THE GRID Designing a customised power plant control model The power plant control model developed by ENGIE Lab Laborelec was adapted to the specificities of the Los Loros Solar Power Project in Chile.

5 Lab Laborelec scanned an area 500 km by 200 km in southern Peru to find the best possible location for a greenfield solar park. SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORELEC ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS The yield of a solar park largely depends on the technology used, and in particular the quality of the panels, converters and software. However, its location is equally important. Peruvian energy company ENGIE Energía Perú hired ENGIE Lab Laborelec to find the most favourable location to build a new, large-scale solar park in southern Peru. Environmental factors are key A solar park can only deliver optimum performance when all relevant environmental factors are in its favour. These include altitude, humidity, terrain stability and hours of sunshine per day. ENGIE Lab Laborelec took all of these conditions into account when scanning an area 500 km by 200 km in southern Peru for a greenfield development. The expert engineers started their quest by pinpointing the regions which have the most sunlight. Next, they used a checklist to exclude locations which are less suitable for the project. For example, areas too close to the coast were rejected since the humidity and salty air can corrode the solar panels, cables and other equipment. They also ruled out locations in national parks and within communities. This resulted in a shortlist of ten suitable locations, of which five were ranked after visual inspection of the sites. In the end, ENGIE Energía Perú chose one of these five selected terrains on which to build the large-scale solar park. The right technology for the right location Finding the right location was not the end of the mission. ENGIE Lab Laborelec experts also assisted in selecting the most appropriate solar technology and the best configuration to ensure the highest possible energy yield from the park. Different photovoltaic technologies and structures (fixed v. solar trackers) were evaluated in order to very precisely calculate the amount of energy that could be produced at a given location. Existing solar projects? ENGIE Lab Laborelec has also supported ENGIE Energía Perú in a technical due diligence case. Engineers inspected the site and carried out several simulations and modelling tests to verify the expected lifespan and production potential of the park. OPTIMISING A SOLAR FARM S PERFORMANCE It all starts with finding the right location 5

6 SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORELEC ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS ENGIE Lab Laborelec provides technical support to the WindFloat Atlantic project in a variety of domains, such as corrosion protection, condition monitoring and cable design. 6 OPERATING WIND TURBINES FURTHER OUT TO SEA Today s offshore wind turbines are located in shallow waters, for technical reasons and cost efficiency. Placing the turbines further away from the shoreline in deeper waters would be more advantageous, but would also present challenges. Could floating wind turbines provide the answer? De-risking one of the world s first pre-commercial projects Floating wind turbines Further out to sea, wind has more power and there is no turbulence caused by nearby buildings. These conditions increase wind turbine performance significantly. However, when moving to deeper water, away from the shoreline, wind turbine foundations can no longer be mounted on the seabed. This problem can be solved by mounting the turbines on floating foundations anchored to the seabed. Moving towards the pre-commercial stage As a result of the successful operation of a pilot project in Portugal, an international consortium has brought floating wind turbines to the pre-commercial stage and is developing the WindFloat Atlantic project. The project involves three wind turbines with a combined capacity of 25 MW placed 20 km offshore, in water at a depth of metres. The cables bringing the generated electricity to the onshore power grid will have a custom voltage level of 66 KV giving a sense of dynamism to the floating structure. Single point of contact, multidisciplinary technical support The international consortium has entrusted technical responsibility for the project to ENGIE, including ENGIE Lab Laborelec, whose responsibility is to provide technical support in a variety of domains such as corrosion protection, condition monitoring and electric cable design. Ensuring cost-effective operation and maintenance In addition to providing technical support, ENGIE Lab Laborelec partnered with Tractebel ENGIE in due diligence, evaluating floating technologies and calculating the lifecycle cost of electricity (LCOE). In 2016 ENGIE Lab Laborelec experts have been involved in drafting the O&M specifications. The resulting document outlines the technical requirements ensuring the optimal maintenance and operation of the wind turbines and the corresponding floating foundation. Currently, the project is close to the investment decision stage. The construction phase is due to start in 2017, with full commissioning and operation in the first quarter of 2019.

7 Wind farms in Romania are required to keep 1% of their capacity available as a power reserve. Transelectrica - the Romanian transmission system operator (TSO) - can consequently call upon this backup power in the event of problems with the local electricity supply. The ENGIE Batteries Lab investigated whether battery systems are viable options in these circumstances. Connecting a battery energy storage system (BESS) to a wind farm would not only enable the Romanian operator to store the legally required 1% power reserve, it would also allow the operator to flatten out the differences between the estimated and actual production of the wind farm. In Romania, as in many other countries, the operator has to pay a fine when the actual amount of energy fed into the power grid differs from the estimation. Evaluating technical and economic feasibility In conjunction with the customer, the ENGIE Batteries Lab drew up a technical specification, which led to lithium-ion being selected as the best technology for this business case, and the BESS was dimensioned to fit the application. The customer was thus able to discuss with the TSO the possibility of using a BESS to replace the 1% power reserve. STORING WIND ENERGY IN BATTERIES A viable solution? SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORELEC ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS The customer decided to go forward with the project, mainly because the combination of storage and wind farms will become increasingly cost-effective Although the calculated payback period of 8-9 years was relatively lengthy, the customer decided to go forward with the project, mainly because the combination of storage and wind farms will become increasingly cost-effective, particularly due to rapidly decreasing battery prices. The ENGIE Batteries Lab investigated whether a battery system is a viable option to store 1% of the power output of a wind farm. 7

8 SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORELEC ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS The power output of a wind turbine is set to match the power curve predefined by the manufacturer based on laboratory predictions. But will a wind farm perform as expected in the real world? ENGIE Lab Laborelec has the tools and the experts to find out. OPTIMISING WIND FARM PERFORMANCE Accurate tools to measure the power curve 8 LiDAR measurement is used to establish a wind turbine s power curve and reveal any misalignment between the wind direction and the orientation of the turbine, and subsequently estimate associated energy losses. ENGIE Lab Laborelec uses light detection and ranging equipment (LiDAR) to establish a wind turbine s power curve. This device is able to accurately measure the speed and direction of the wind before it hits the wind turbine. Based on these measurements, the actual power curve of a wind turbine can be calculated. ENGIE Lab Laborelec is able to measure the wind turbine s steering efficiency and yaw performance using the LiDAR equipment. Based on these measurements, recommendations can be made to boost performance, taking into account a smart compromise between yield and the lifespan of the turbine. Up to 30% underperformance In many cases, measurements reveal significant gaps between actual and expected power production. For instance, a measurement campaign at a Belgium-based wind farm revealed that the entire farm only produced 70% of the energy that had been predicted during the wind resource assessment study. ENGIE Lab Laborelec was able to determine to what extent this gap was due to turbine performance. Compromise between efficiency and lifespan There are a number of ways to enhance wind turbine performance. For instance, a more dynamic steering programme will make the wind turbine yaw faster into the wind s direction, increasing the yield. However, these movements could shorten the turbine s lifespan. Measures against static and dynamic misalignment ENGIE Lab Laborelec also has the expertise to counter both static and dynamic misalignment of the wind turbine. For instance, software experts are able to verify the quality of algorithms that control when and how the turbine will yaw into the wind, based on dynamic data collected from the nacelle-based LiDAR). In addition, ENGIE Lab Laborelec has the tools to check whether the wind vane is accurately calibrated, in order to exclude static misalignment faults. Maximum long term performance ENGIE Lab Laborelec has the right tools and the right people to use LiDAR effectively, while its software specialists are well-trained to accurately interpret the resulting data and verify the efficiency of the control algorithms. This multidisciplinary approach enables operators to maximise the long-term performance of their wind farm.

9 COST-EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT OF OFFSHORE WIND FARMS Root cause analysis as a tool to keep costs down A cable termination had short-circuited. Root cause analysis revealed the fault was caused by incorrect assembly, and the customer was advised to put in place appropriate preventive maintenance throughout the wind farm. An effective root cause analysis is indispensable in today s asset management, especially where offshore wind farms are concerned. Knowing the exact cause of a problem allows operators to initiate the appropriate actions. This can be preventive maintenance to avoid the same problem re-occurring, but could also involve reclaiming some part of incurred costs from whomever can be held responsible. The most important aspect of root cause analysis is the ability to investigate all potential failure mechanisms. Hence, it requires expertise in a multitude of domains. ENGIE Lab Laborelec is known across the world for its multidisciplinary skills. For example, its experts have an in-depth knowledge of wind turbine technologies, electrical engineering and power grids. In addition, they have the tools and the laboratory facilities to investigate such aspects as materials, cables and transformer oils. This unique combination makes ENGIE Lab Laborelec a valued partner in conducting a root cause analysis. Reclaiming costs from the manufacturer In 2015 ENGIE Lab Laborelec conducted a number of root cause analyses at offshore wind farms, including the case of a shortcircuited medium voltage cable. Thorough analysis revealed that the problem was due to faults in the insulation. As this was clearly a quality issue, the wind farm operator sought redress from the cable manufacturer. Addressing construction faults In one case explosions in two MV cable terminations was analysed and it was discovered that they were assembled incorrectly, causing them to age rapidly and eventually short-circuit. In another, the termination was cracked due to overheating, once more a problem caused by faulty manufacture. An effective root cause analysis is indispensable in today s asset management, especially where offshore wind farms are concerned. Both of these root cause analyses inspired the wind farm operator to inspect the rest of the wind farm for similar construction faults. This resulted in the necessary preventive maintenance, and probably avoided costly repairs and replacements in the future. SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORELEC ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS 9

10 SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORELEC ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS 10 TESTING NEW DECENTRALISED ENERGY SOLUTIONS Analysing technical and economic feasibility Off-grid energy kits are effective in bringing electrical power to people who live in remote areas. Energy suppliers are constantly looking for new solutions to extend or improve the solutions they offer. To increase the chances of success of these new solutions, they call upon the multidisciplinary expertise of ENGIE Lab Laborelec to identify the best available technologies, from an economic as well as a technical point of view. Creating a project catalogue for decentralised energy solutions These new energy solutions can take many shapes and forms. For instance, one customer wanted to put together a complete catalogue of all the components needed for a decentralised power generation project. Together with other partners in the project, ENGIE Lab Laborelec experts carried out extensive research to identify all the best available technologies, ranging from solar panels to management tools. The result was a thorough and detailed report, with indepth and up-to-date information on approved products, software, promising trends, suppliers and technologies. The report covers both ongrid and off-grid systems, for industrial as well as residential use. They call upon the multidisciplinary expertise of ENGIE Lab Laborelec to identify the best available technologies, from an economic as well as a technical point of view. A new addition to the catalogue, focusing on installations such as airports, will be added later in Testing small off-grid energy kits Another example concerns a project in Africa. Many people in Africa still do not have access to electrical power. ENGIE Africa is looking to change this by supplying small and easy-tomanage energy kits, which include solar panels, light bulbs and phone chargers, all funded using mobile telephone fees. ENGIE Lab Laborelec was hired to verify which technologies work best in specific circumstances and which manufacturers offer the best products. Factory visits were conducted to assess the manufacturers quality management and production processes. In 2016, selected energy kits are being tested for quality, performance, user friendliness and cyber security among other aspects so that customers can be recommended the best available energy kit.

11 In the course of the PowerKite project, the ENGIE Lab Laborelec team examined the mechanical (e.g. anchoring), electrical (e.g. power quality) and economic aspects (e.g. commercial array power system solutions). SUPPORTING RENEWABLE ENERGY LABORELEC ACTIVITY HIGHLIGHTS Tidal power has the potential to become part of the renewable energy mix. However, the limited number of locations with high velocity currents limits its effectiveness. Deep Green, a fascinating technology which uses an underwater kite to extract energy from tidal currents, may just change all that. A REVOLUTIONARY UNDERWATER KITE 11 Raising the potential of the tidal power market Deep Green developed by Swedish company Minesto is a novel marine power technology which uses low velocity tidal resources to produce electricity. Hence, the technology can be applied in many more places around the world compared to classic underwater tidal turbines, which require sites with high tidal velocities. As a result, Deep Green has the potential to open up the total marine energy market. Speed increase by a factor 10 The Deep Green kite consists of a wing and a turbine attached by a tether to a fixed point on the ocean bed and exploits hydrodynamic lift forces created by the tidal flow. The kite is steered in a figure-of-eight course by a rudder, resulting in speeds up to ten times the water current speed. The water then flows rapidly through a gearless turbine, thus generating electricity. Next, the electricity is transmitted via a cable passing along the tether and continuing via the seabed to the shore. The PowerKite project Based on Deep Green kite technology, the PowerKite project funded by the European Commission s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation programme is led by a consortium of nine partners. The aim of the project is to design, build and deploy a power take-off system for a full scale 0.5 MW Deep Green kite. A quarter scale version of the underwater tidal kite has already been assembled and tested. The results are very promising, so a full scale version, with a 12 metre wingspan, is expected within the next two years. Injecting ENGIE Lab Laborelec expertise As one of the PowerKite consortium partners, the ENGIE Lab Laborelec team provides expertise on electrical power quality and grid code compliance. It also helps with sub-system development and work on commercial array power system solutions. Evaluating new technologies, preparing the future

12 Five reasons for you to choose ENGIE Lab > Wide range of technical competencies in Electricity Generation, Grids, and End-Use > Increased profitability and sustainability of your energy processes and assets > Unique combination of contract research and operational assistance > Independent advice based on certified laboratory and field analyses all over the world > More than 50 years of experience ENGIE Lab Laborelec Rodestraat Linkebeek T +32 (0) F +32 (0) info.laborelec@engie.com