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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 …
Distribution
Demand
Transmission
EVMicroGen
Responsive Control
Smart Metering
Energy Storage
Renewables
Interconnect.
Offshore Grids
Advanced Automation
Gas + Heat networks?
Generation
+
+
+
Active Management
System Management
Smart Appliances
Electric heating
Scheduling
Large system coordination
… delivering efficient, lower carbon, better, quicker, cheaper solutions?
Smart Grid Functions …
Snap shot of the smart grid domain …
Snap shot of the smart grid domain …
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 AultInstitute for Energy and EnvironmentDepartment of Electronic and Electrical EngineeringUniversity of [email protected]
