CIRED 2011RT 5b

1. CIRED 2011RT 5b TSO-DSO co-ordination of planning for wind connections Tony Hearne Manager, Renewable Planning ESB Networks

2. Topics • Utility Landscape in Ireland • Wind situation in Ireland • Group processing • Gate 3 • Conclusions

3. Topics • Utility Landscape in Ireland • Wind situation in Ireland • Group processing • Gate 3 • Conclusions

4. Regulator Transmission System Operator Transmission System Planner Distribution System Operator Distribution System Planner Transmission and Distribution Asset owner CER EirGrid EirGrid ESB Networks ESB Networks ESB Main Players in Ireland

5. System Operator Structures • ESB Group • Generation- Customer supply • Consultancy • Eirgrid PLC • TSO • Plan Tx network • Contol access to Tx network • Operate Tx network • SEMO • Operate wholsale energy market • ESB Networks Ltd • TAO • DAO • DSO

6. Transmission Distribution MV 20 kV & 10 kV LV 400 & 230V 220kV 400kV 400kV 220kV 110kV 110kV 38kV 20kV 10kV • Transmission • 6,300 km of Overhead Network • 140km of Underground Cables • 165 HV Stations • Distribution • 160,000 km of Lines/Cables • 630 HV Substations • 230,000 MV Transformers/Units • 2m meters €1B RAB Value €5B RAB Value

7. Topics • Utility Landscape in Ireland • Wind situation in Ireland • Group processing • Gate 3 • Conclusions

9. Wind Connections MW System Demand 2020 3990 1460 MW c1250

11. History to date • Up to 2003 applications for connection of wind to both System Operators were processed sequentially • Since 2004, following a moratorium on wind connections, such is the volume of applications in the queue, that a Group Processing Approach [GPA] was the only practical way forward. • They are now processed in batches known as Gates

12. Connected:Blue In Progress:Red Being Quoted: Green

13. Topics • Utility Landscape in Ireland • Wind situation in Ireland • Group processing • Gate 3 • Conclusions

14. Example of Sequential Approach MV 38kV 38kV/MV Stn 38kV 38kV 110/38kV Stn 38kV/MV Stn 110kV

15. Example of Sequential Approach MV ? 38kV 38kV/MV Stn 38kV 38kV 110/38kV Stn 38kV/MV Stn 110kV

16. Example of Group Approach 110kV 38kV 38kV 38kV/MV Stn 110/38kV Stn 38kV/MV Stn 110kV

17. Sequential processing Large applicants tend to apply to TSO, smaller ones to DSO The connection method is determined solely on the basis of their connection Applicants pay for their dedicated works Interracting offers can cause withdrawal of offers already in train Group Processing Applications are processed by the SO most suited to their Group connection irrespective of which SO they originally applied to. The connection method is determined by the Least Cost technically Acceptable [LCTA] method for the defined sub-group Applicants pay in full for their dedicated shallow works and a per MW share of shared shallow works No Interaction issues within Gates

18. General operation of a “Gate” • Regulator [with input from both System Operators and wind industry] determine criteria for eligibility for inclusion of “Gate” • TSO and DSO jointly apply criteria to the “Queue” of application • Queue comprises both DSO and TSO applicants • Result: Make up of “Gate” is determined

19. Topics • Utility Landscape in Ireland • Wind situation in Ireland • Group processing • Gate 3 • Conclusions

20. Implementation of Gate 3 • The implementation of Gate 3 required very close collaboration between CER, TSO and DSO. • The following slides will endeavour to explain the steps, mechanisms and features involved

21. Size of Gate 3 22

22. 1: Eligibility criterion • Full consultation held with industry and stakeholders • Result: Date order of applications the clear preference from the wind industry • CER Direction issued to System Operators including MW size of the Gate • Implementation commences • Unified “queue” formed by combining separate SO queues • Cut-off criterion applied In Out

23. What next? • Now we know who is in and out! • To begin their studies, TSO need to know how much generation will present at their transmission nodes • In order to inform this, DSO would normally carry out full studies on the smaller applicants to determine which transmission node • To shorten timeframe as much as possible it was necessary to frontload the node assignments

24. 2: Node Assignments • Banded rule-set devised based upon distance to nearest distribution primary sub-station • Clauses put in place to define “nearest” • Result: Transmission sub-groups formed Tx Node 1 Tx Node 2

25. Gate 3 General TSO-DSO Process TSO Issue Tx offers DSO and TSO Tx SC and other studies Establish Tx Firm Access Quantities Node Assignment Report to TSO Connection Agreement DSO Determine Distribution connection methods Issue DSO offers

26. Transmission Firm access quantities • Transmission System Operator calculates additional capacity available at each node for each future year. • Available capacity allocated based on application date-order • Each Gate 3 application will have a Scheduled Firm Access Quantity for each year from 2010 to 2025, taking account of grid reinforcements and other new generation • Thus, transmission reinforcement based on approved development strategy leads the wind generation connections.

27. Grid development strategy to 2025 http://www.eirgridprojects.com/ • Takes account of: • demand growth • renewable generation to meet targets • conventional generation development • future DC interconnections with UK or Europe. • Will require ~ 1,150 km new transmission ~ 2,300 km upgrades

28. Project Planning • Country divided in to ”Areas” for transmission study purposes • Detailed offer issuance Project Plan agreed between TSO, DSO and CER. • Project Plan published

29. Communications • Gate 3 Liaison Group meeting • chaired by Regulator • Attended by both SO ‘s and representatives of all industry stakeholders • SO’s report on progress per workplan • Other issues discussed as they emerge • Customer connection meetings • Held once distribution connection methods signed off • TSO-DSO bi-lateral meetings • Held bi-monthly or weekly

30. Questions ? Tony.hearne@esb.ie

31. Conclusions • The circumstances in Ireland lend themselves to the TSO-DSO-Regulator approach outlined above • Facilitates large quantities of Renewable Energy being processed in a structured manner • Transmission and Distribution systems developed in co-ordinated fashion • Certainty of offer issuance to those in the Gate • Rationalises the allocation of scarce capacity