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Integrating Renewable Energy into Power Networks smart grid, micro-grid or off-grid. Graham Ault Low Carbon Energy for Development Network Conference 4 th /5 th April 2012. Overview. Brief outline of renewable grid integration challenges Overview of smart grid research and development
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Integrating Renewable Energy into Power Networks smart grid, micro-grid or off-grid Graham Ault Low Carbon Energy for Development Network Conference 4th/5th April 2012
Overview • Brief outline of renewable grid integration challenges • Overview of smart grid research and development • Link to ‘Energy for Development’ • Case studies in Malawi: • Community based solar PV • Scoping study for community/renewable energy development • Topics of Interest in Energy for Development
Problems that the smart grid might be the answer to … Transmission Interconnect. Large system coordination Generation System Management Offshore Grids + Renewables Active Management Distribution Advanced Automation Energy Storage + EV MicroGen Scheduling Demand Responsive Control Smart Metering Electric heating Smart Appliances Gas + Heat networks? + … delivering efficient, lower carbon, better, quicker, cheaper solutions?
Scottish Government Community Energy Scoping Study: Malawi • Several drivers pushing energy higher up agenda in Malawi: fuel costs, climate change agenda, role of electricity in economic development • Primary aim of government policies, strategies and investment plans is development of grid generation and extension of the grid • Biomass missing from energy policies and investment plans - accounts for 97% of energy use in Malawi • Institutional framework for energy development is sound but resource constrained
Scottish Government Community Energy Scoping Study: Malawi • Community energy development trials underway with various technologies and approaches but in uncoordinated manner • Climate change policy and renewable energy policy not complete and Malawi not exploiting opportunity of international frameworks (e.g. GEF, CDM, etc.) • Current situation not providing conducive framework for donor or private investment in energy
Example Project: Off-Grid Community Solar PV in Malawi • 6 Community Energy Committee trained and empowered • 8 installations with lights, AC power, fridges (6 villages with 8 school and health post pilot installations in Malawi • 100 mini home solar units distributed/sold in Malawi – more on the way • 6 x 10 member Energy Committees elected, trained and established for over 2 years in Malawi • Support chain of field worker and local project management • Building evidence base for sustainable model through monitoring & evaluation
Topics of Interest in EfD / grids • Field-evaluation of technology: grid, storage, renewables integration solutions • Engineering ‘optimisation’ of system design, operation and asset monitoring/stewardship • Smart grid, micro-grid and off-grid solutions • Standards for off-grid and small scale energy • Sustainable models for off-grid community energy solutions • Academic partnerships (research, teaching/training programmes, government/industry collaborations) • Impact assessment (technological, sociological, economic) • Potential to ‘leap frog’ grid solutions in development situations
Graham Ault Institute for Energy and Environment Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering University of Strathclyde g.ault@eee.strath.ac.uk