Quality infrastructure for Renewables-based Mini-grids Dolf Gielen Director IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre 82 nd IEC General Meeting Industrializing Countries Workshop October 24, 2018 Busan, Republic of Korea
About IRENA Inter-governmental agency established in 2011 Headquarters in Abu Dhabi, UAE IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre Bonn, Germany Permanent Observer to the United Nations New York 159 Members 24 States in Accession Mandate: Assist countries to accelerate renewable energy deployment
Development and welfare for all SDG7 is an enabler for the other UN Sustainable Development Goals Climate policy an important driver energy accounts for two-thirds of GHG emissions We need cleaner, affordable, reliable and abundant sources of energy Source: IRENA (2017) Rethinking Energy
Renewable power rapidly becoming competitive Cost reduction in the period 2010-2017 Expected cost reduction in the period 2015-2025 73% Solar PV 23% Onshore Wind All renewable power options will compete with fossil fuels on price by 2020 Wind and PV are abundant and available in most countries Source: IRENA (2018), Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2017, International Renewable Energy Agency
Small-scale: rapidly falling prices Home storage Li-ion 60% reduction! Source: IRENA, EuPD Research Note: Horizontal bar shows median offer price, grey range 10th and 90th percentile. Median prices for lithium-ion based residential storage system offers in Germany have declined roughly 60% Q4 2014 to Q1 2017 5
Renewable solutions for energy access Some 1.1 billion people without electricity access today ~ 130 million served by RE systems: 100 M solar lights 24 M solar home systems 9 M through mini-grids 50 250 GW potential to hybridise existing diesel generator capacity, 12 GW on islands 1 million telecom towers in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa Source: IRENA (2018) OFF-GRID RENEWABLE ENERGY SOLUTIONS
Renewable mini-grids market 44% in North America 5% in Europe 47% in Asia Pacific 3 % in Latin America 1% in Africa and Middle East Great untapped potential in Africa and Latin America Source: Navigant (Asmus and Lawrence, 2015)
Mini-grid Functionalities Plan and design (optional grid-connection) Control, manage, measure Store Generate Convert Consume Source: IRENA (2016) Innovation Outlook: Renewable Mini-Grids
Forthcoming IRENA report on QI for Mini-grids in collaboration with IEC and ARE Report: Quality Infrastructure for mini grids 1. Brief on the market status and costs 2. Quality gaps in mini-grids functionalities 3. Costs an benefits of QI deployment 4. Needed QI in the future 5. Strategies to develop QI 6. QI in policy frameworks Report will be presented at International Off-grid Renewable Energy Conference and Exhibition (IOREC) on October 31 st in Singapore. IEC will take part of this event. To be launched at Q1 2019 Working with IEC experts from microgrid working group of IEC TC 82 and IECRE.
Innovation in control systems for mini-grids requires improved communication standards Opportunity for Innovation Cost Reliability Ease Environment More intelligent controls Improved communications and standards Improved metering and monitoring Simplify connecting equipment together STATE OF THE ART TODAY Specialized and expensive controls Non-economic, non-predictive controls Moderate plug-and-play capability High utility interest, but limited to pilot projects Numerous competing standards One to two hours renewable resource prediction with high accuracy FUTURE Low cost modular controls Economic and predictive controls Seamless plug-and-play capability Standard interconnection terms for utilities Common, open-source standards Day-ahead renewable resource prediction with high accuracy Source: IRENA (2016) Innovation Outlook: Renewable Mini-Grids
Innovative Low Voltage Direct Current (LVDC) mini-grids LVDC mini-grids Source: IRENA (2016) Innovation Outlook: Renewable Mini-Grids DC reduces up to 10% the energy losses
Quality Infrastructure Gaps for LVDC mini-grids Adjustment of AC standards (plugs, sockets, grounding, overvoltage/current, fault detection) Standardisation of DC voltages, installation guidelines and certifications. This will reduce uncertainty and barriers for contractors. Development of new standards and testing specifically targeting safety, protection and power quality to mitigate any negative perception. Cooperation between the various stakeholders to obtain a comprehensive and universally applicable QI
Summary of gaps in standards and quality control for future mini-grids QI Needs Incorporate QI and monitoring mechanisms since the planning and design International standards for seamless transition between gridconnected and islanded operation Clear interconnection regulations Harmonization of IoT-related standards (hardware, cloud, security, industry, privacy) preferably at international level (vs today's multiple mostly private/proprietary standards) Harmonized standards & test procedures of EVs and charging equipment Power to X testing Systemic approach for cybersecurity Need for standards and regulations on data collection DC mini-grids: Adjustment AC standards and DC voltages standardization. Prosumers: transaction safety, performance and cost reporting standardisation
Using QI in country regulations for mini-grids USA National Electrical Code: new article about DC mini grids. California and Hawaii: new installations require inverters to provide grid support or smart inverter functions. (UL Test Standards) Tanzania Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority: Latest mini grid regulatory framework allows: -Mini-grids at multiple locations can acquire a single license (> 1 MW) or registration for mini-grids using the same technology (<1 MW); - Allow grid-connected mini-grids to operate in islanded mode when power to a previously isolated mini-supply is not available from the main grid; - Clarity and credibility on the compensation calculation for distribution assets when the main grid connects grid. Source: NFPA, 2018; CEPR, 2018, WRI 2017, Magnaray International, African enterprise investor
Using QI in country regulations for mini-grids Puerto Rico Regulation on Microgrids. After hurricane Maria in 2017, Puerto Rico looked to implement more resilient energy systems in their communities. The 2018 regulation defines renewable microgrids as those that can generate 75 % of their energy from renewables. It identifies the applicable codes and standards. Power Utility Automation Guidelines for microgrid projects planning and specification Source: NFPA, 2018; CEPR, 2018, WRI 2017, Magnaray International, African enterprise investor
Explore INSPIRE and get engaged in the work of patents and standards Free online platform International Standards and Patents in Renewable Energies(INSPIRE) More than 400 international standards available for all types of RE Access INSPIRE at: http://inspire.irena.org Find here a video on how to use INSPIRE
Thank you! fboshell@irena.org Download report for free at: http://www.irena.org/publications 17