Energy 722 Assignment 4

Integrating Renewable Energy into Transmission and Distribution Grid

The objective of this assignment is to consolidate the concepts and issues learnt during the lecture series on electricity grid integration for renewable generation and apply knowledge to realistic case studies, addressing issues that is relevant to New Zealand electricity networks.

Wind and solar power grid integration have been chosen for this assignment. You are tasked to write 3 short reports. The first report is around wind farm integration into transmission network. The second report is towards addressing a case study for integrating home based solar PV systems into distribution network. The third report is addressed towards a case study for Solar Farms, several of which have become operational in New Zealand recently.

REPORT 1: Part I- Essay on Wind farm integration into transmission network

Choose ANY 1 sub-topics (either from a or b) below to analyse wind integration into transmission networks.

a.   Impact of wind power variability on transmission grid security and reliability, such as:

i.   wind farm for grid frequency control; or

ii.   operational reserve requirements for variable wind generation.

b.   Wind farm protection and coordination requirements for system operation, such as:

i.   wind farm reactive power management; or

ii.   wind farm voltage support; or

iii.   wind farm voltage stability.

Marking Rubric:

REPORT 2 – Case study for solar PV integration into Low-voltage distribution network:

New Zealand government has  set a target of 100% renewable electricity by 2035 during normal hydrological conditions. Working towards the target, the distribution utilities are looking at ways to reduce the  consumption  of  electricity from the grid and increase the electricity generation at distribution level. The local distribution utility has approached a consulting firm and asked for pre- feasibility study to reduce the power consumption from the grid (grid exit point) by  1 MW. As a Graduate Energy Consultant, you are involved in designing a trial project which can be implemented by local distribution utility to help accelerate the solar PV installations in the network. You attend the kick-off meeting with the client  (distribution utility) for this project.  Following are the questions/issues/ideas raised by the client and your manager:

i.      The best possible way to have local generation within distribution network is to install grid connected solar PV systems at trial homes. Specific PV panel should be chosen for the project. Total PV panel number and capacity to be identified to achieve 1MW reduction.

ii.      Choose a suburb in Auckland and find average electricity consumption (Average electricity consumption by residential homes in NZ could be considered). PV system size for each trial house should be identified based on the consumption. Then randomly choose trial homes in chosen suburb and proceed next action.

iii.      Energy analysis to be conducted. (The yearly energy consumption in that area, the maximum sunny hours in that area – use NIWA app, Feasible electricity production by solar PV system and the overall cost involved.)

iv.      What are the interconnection  standards, earthing standard, and lighting standard (if tall buildings)? Give more emphasis to this question. Write in detail.

v.      In order to have service continuity (Reliability), battery system may be installed. What would be the energy specification for this battery system- for grid scale and for individual? (MWh required)

vi.      Analyse all the above and recommend the best solution (If battery required or not).

Write a design report which will address the above questions. The marking rubric for this report is as follows:

REPORT 3 – Solar Farm Integration into distribution/transmission grids

The rapid integration of large-scale solar farms into New Zealand’s power grid has introduced new challenges, around managing voltage, harmonic distortions, compliance with  regards to reactive compensation requirements and coordinating with host interconnecting electrical distribution business (EDB)  and/or  Transmission  system operator, Transpower.  The very positive experience of the Kohira Solar farm during the Northland tower collapse 20 June 2024 incident has brought fore to the public and government the immense value that solar farm provides in  a futuristic resilient electrical power system for NZ and the incentive for Distribution System Operation (DSO) policy formulations which in-turn will have impacts on upgrading electricity market structures dominated by incumbent generation utilities in New Zealand Electricity Market (NZEM) wholesale market operation.

You need to research the various installed solar farms and the ones that are being planned in New Zealand and write a report/essay on an issue that you found relevant and interesting.

Marking Rubric:

General requirements

•    This assignment is to be completed individually and no collaboration permitted.

• Value: 20% of your final grade. You will be graded for grammar, presentation, and format as well as content;

•    Submission Deadline: 2nd May 2023 (Thursday), 11:59 NZST.

•    Submission: Upload to Canvas  (note that you should time your upload for at least an hour before the deadline, so you don’t get caught in an e-jam with your upload).

•    Late submissions (without approval) will be deducted 20% for each day delay.

Hint 1: 12 ~ 14 hours in total are expected for completing this assignment

Hint 2: It is best to choose a very specific topic to conduct your own research, demonstrate your understanding, so that higher marks can be earned for critical thinking. For example, choose 1.a.ii for wind into transmission. Do not attempt all the topics or try a combination of different topics.

Hint 3: Four aspects are expected to be addressed for Report 1 essay on Wind Energy grid integration:

Report Format

•    Report 1 – Essay/report maximum of 1000 words ± 10%

•    Report 2 – Maximum of 2000 words ± 10%

•    Report 3 - Essay/report maximum of 1000 words ± 10%

The different format is to allow students to use their most comfortable professional communication method and present the topic to the target audience.

Hints for report writing

1.1. A general guidance of the structural flow in each topic:

1.1.1.What are the major technical problems experienced in this topic?

1.1.2.Why are these problems important, particularly in the context of New Zealand?

1.1.3.What are the technical or non-technical solutions explored overseas?

1.1.4.What are or will be the proper solutions for New Zealand from the above? Why?

1.2.  Strictly following 6th  ed. APA style for reference. http://www.library.auckland.ac.nz/subject- guides/bus/topicguides/apa_for_business.htm

1.3. Electronic copy (.doc or .docx) may go through TURNITIN to check for similarity.

1.4. Back up your arguments by paraphrasing from reputable sources. Some optional background readings are provided, but you are encouraged to find your own source of reference.

1.5. The assessment criteria are:

1.5.1. All four aspects are addressed in a logical manner for each topic.

1.5.2. Well referenced from reputable sources and paraphrased to form opinions.

1.6. Provide references which you think support your arguments or technically important.

Optional assignment reading

The background readings for the assignment are several magazine articles from  IEEE.  These magazine articles can be accessed from The University of Auckland library electronic database - ‘IEEExplore’, under ‘E-journals’ of the main library web page. Several web links are provided as well for more information on integration issues in the New Zealand context, which students need to search and find the relevant information. In addition, the lecture notes also provide several textbook references with relevant chapters being indicated.