Connecting small renewable energy generators to the grid in Thailand: case studies & technical requirements

1. Connecting small renewable energy generators to the grid in Thailand: case studies & technical requirements Renewable Energy Forum Thursday, 28 October 2004 BITEC Bangna, Bangkok Chris Greacen Palang Thai www.palangthai.org

2. Outline • Very Small Power Producer (VSPP) examples • Solar • Wind • Biogas • Technical requirements for interconnection

3. VSPP

4. Grid interconnection of small scale renewable energy

5. Reduces air and water pollution Produces fertilizer Produces electricity Biogas from Pig Farms

6. As of Jan 2004: 4 farms legally connected Potential for hundreds of farms Biogas from Pig Farms

7. Grid interconnection at pig farm

8. 100 kW Wind turbine • Part of environmental training center • ReCycle Engineering, Chonburi

9. ReCycle Engineering

10. Community micro-hydro • Mae Kam Pong village, Chiang Mai • 40 kW • Community cooperative • Expected gross revenues: 30,000 baht/month

11. 40 kW micro-hydro generator at Mae Kam Pong

12. Korat Waste to Energy - biogas • Uses waste water from cassava • Removes 99% of COD • Produces gas for all factory heat + 5 MW of electricity

13. Korat Waste to Energy - biogas • 3 x 1 MW Jenbacher gas generators

14. Technical requirements – why? • Utility is responsible for ensuring reliable, safe electricity for customers. Safety for workers. • System designed for one-way flow of electricity. • …but should also not impose unreasonable costs or other barriers to interconnection

15. Technical requirements – what? • Must not island • Voltage (PEA):19.8kV – 24.2kV (nominal = 22 kV) • Frequency:50 Hz +/- 0.5. Disconnect within 0.1 sec • Power factor:>0.85 (This list not complete.)

16. Technical requirements – relays • 59/27 Overvoltage and undervoltage • 50/51, 50N/51N Phase & ground overcurrent • 59N Zero sequence overvoltage • 67/67N Directional & gnd overcurrent • 81 Over/under frequency • 25 Synchronizing check

19. Integrated digital relay BE1-GPS100 BASLER ELECTRIC www.basler.com BECKWITH ELECTRIC www.beckwithelectric.com

20. Typical interconnection with integrated relay

21. Resources for VSPPwww.netmeter.org • VSPP regulations (Thai)http://www.netmeter.org/th/regs/docs/VSPP_regulation.pdf • Interconnection application formhttp://www.netmeter.org/th/regs/docs/connection_form.pdf • Sample tariff calculationshttp://www.palangthai.org/en/docs/SampleTariffCalculation-new.xls

22. For more information Contact: Tel. 02-674-2533 chris@palangthai.org www.palangthai.org

23. Village is metered as a single customer Collection of tariffs from individual households and maintenance of local lines is the responsibility of the REE. Aggregate Net Metering M meter Utility’s responsibility Village’s responsibility

24. Objectives of Power Purchase from VSPPs • To promote efficient use of domestic natural resources and reduce dependency on the use of commercial fuels • To open up an opportunity for remote areas to participate in electricity generation • To alleviate the government’s budgetary burden to invest in electricity generation and distribution systems

25. Applications received (as of 20 Jan 2004)

26. Contracts signed(as of 20 Jan 2004)

27. Sticking points… • Expensive interconnection requirements • VAT tax issue unresolved • Concession by Department of Energy Business, Ministry of Energy • Lack of awareness among potential customer generators

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