1. The Role of Smart Grids in Irish Energy Policy Smart Grid Technology Watch Event, Claremorris, 18 th September 2014 Bob Hanna Chief Technical Advisor Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources

2. The Role of Smart Grids in Irish Energy Policy All Island Grid Study  Pioneering all-island work  How much intermittent renewables on the grid?  Answer – 42%  Active Public Sector Project Steering Committee working with Private Sector Consultants  Very successful

3. Some findings are counter-intuitive!

4. The Role of Smart Grids in Irish Energy Policy The ISLES Project  Feasibility Study for Offshore Interconnecting Grid specifically facilitating marine renewables  Study Area: Scotland, N. Ireland, Ireland  Technical, Environmental, Regulatory, Economic Workstreams

5. The ISLES Project What happens if we plan regionally; not developer-led?

6. Northern ISLES Configuration P r o p o s e d N o r t h e r n I S L E S c o n c e p t i s a m e s h o f t h r e e n o n - i n t e r c o n n e c t e d m u l t i - t e r m i n a l V S C H V D C l i n k s H V D C H u b w i t h o f f - l o a d s w i t c h i n g p r o v i d e s n e t w o r k r e s i l i e n c e i n t h e e v e n t o f c a b l e f a u l t s P a r a l l e l c a b l e p a t h s p r o v i d e s t h e o p p o r t u n i t y f o r p h a s e d n e t w o r k d e v e l o p m e n t s N o r t h e r n I S L E S c o m p r i s e s 1 4 p l a t f o r m s : –8 x 5 0 0 M W V S C c o n v e r t e r s ( 3 o n s h o r e ) –2 x 1 0 0 0 M W V S C c o n v e r t e r s ( o n s h o r e ) –3 x H V D C S w i t c h i n g h u b s ( o f f s h o r e ) –6 x H V A C T r a n s f o r m e r p l a t f o r m s –1 0 x 5 0 0 M W H V D C c a b l e l i n k s –2 x 1 0 0 0 M W H V D C c a b l e l i n k Still to be made!

11. Smart Grid – Atlantic Green Zone

12. The Role of Smart Grids in Irish Energy Policy Green Paper on Energy Policy, May 2014  Priority 3: Planning and Implementing Essential Energy Infrastructure  Smart Grids must be facilitated by policy  Recognition that Smart Grids contribute to:  Improved energy efficiency  Increased penetration of indigenous renewables  Enhanced security of energy supply

13. The Role of Smart Grids in Irish Energy Policy Smart Grid Technology Watch Event, Claremorris, 18 th September 2014 Bob Hanna Chief Technical Advisor Department of Communications, Energy & Natural Resources