1. Aswin Balasubramanian Imaya Senthilnathan
GRID – 25 A strategy for the development of Ireland’s Electricity Grid for a Sustainable and Competitive future
Aswin Balasubramanian
Imaya Senthilnathan

2. Introduction Safe, secure, affordable electricity
Economic growth and bright future for renewable and sustainable energy
Reduce dependence on fossil fuels
Practical and progressive solutions
Maximize competitiveness
Attract new hi-tech industry and accommodate population growth
Investment - 4 billion Euros
CER - effective and efficient delivery of investment

3. Aim of GRID - 25
Transmission grid- links to central market- avail electricity at the most economic rates
Changes in grid- energy security, climate change, import of fuels
Will include new levels of wind generation and ocean tech based generation, flexible conventional generation and efficient market structures and networks.
Key pillar- links parts of country rich in renewable energy to the rest of the country for reliable electricity at economic rates

4. Aim of GRID - 25
Capacity of transmission system must be doubled by 2025.
Major reinforcements to existing network
Balance reliability, energy security, cost and environmental impact in a sustainable way
Minimize length of new lines and maximize utilization of existing network
Increase Ireland’s connectivity to the European Grid (export and import in bulk)

5. Consequences of Non-Action
Danger of overloading
Limits no. of hi-tech industries to locations with strong grid infrastructure.
Needs of new residential clients will not be met
Security of supply will be in question
Limits competitiveness in electricity market
Drive to reduce CO2 emissions will be seriously undermined
Ireland will not be strongly connected to the European grid

6. Projected Demand Growth

7. Outline Eirgrid - development of transmission network in Ireland
Ensures adequate network capacity
GRID-25 – economic and reliable network with increased penetration of renewable energy technologies, energy efficiency and energy savings
High voltage lines – greater capacity (400kv lines and 220 kv lines)
Wise to implement HV lines for long term needs
Use of smart grid tech – smart metering – gives customers control over their consumption

8. GRID-25 Process

9. Vision Generation fro renewable energy sources-key plank
33% of demand will be met by renewable generation by 2020
Wind energy will be a major player along with ocean technology and bio-mass
Locations for new renewable generation schemes are in areas having little or no generation developments earlier
Renewable generation capacity equals conventional generation in these areas
Network is not capable of carrying power from here
Grid -25 provides design upgrades in networks for the above issue

10. Regional Distribution of Renewable Capacity

11. Conventional Generation
40% of consumption from renewable sources by 2025 (expected)
60% will be from conventional generation or imports from abroad
When wind output is low, conventional generation must provide reliable energy
Grid 25 provides conventional generation scenarios at
sea ports, existing station sites, strong transmission nodes

12. Future conventional generation locations

13. Future Grid Requirements
TG – 400kv, 220kv, 110kv voltage levels
Major means for bulk power transmission -400kv(1980s) and 220kv(1960s)
Not much change in network after 1980s but demand has grown by over 150%
By 2025 capacity of existing bulk transmission network must be doubled
Approx kms of new circuits- 20% increase in total length of existing network.
800kms -400kv ; 350kms-110kv
2300kms of existing network will be upgraded to provide greater capacity

14. Future Grid Requirements
Taking lines out of service to upgrade
Reason to upgrade is power through lines exceed existing capabilities
Severe strain on operability, reliability and efficiency of power system.
Develop innovative upgrading methods to limit impact on customers (cost & security)
Find quick and effective ways for progress through all phases for accepting large amounts of new renewable and conventional generation

15. Development Strategy
Utilize existing network wherever possible(sometimes costly but less impact on environment)
Use higher capacity and light weight conductors
When new conductor can’t be used at same voltage, the network itself is upgraded to a higher voltage
Replacing existing line with double circuit line to provide for additional capacity
Put selected 100kv circuits underground to minimize impact of new build ( urban areas )
Use HVDC technology for long distance transmission

16. Development Strategy

17. Wind Energy Road Map

18. Key Findings
Ireland can achieve deployment of between 11GW - 16GW of onshore wind and 30GW of offshore wind by 2050
Wind energy has the potential to generate enough electricity to exceed domestic demand by 2030
The potential economic value of electricity generated by wind could reach almost €15 billion by 2050

19. Key Findings
By 2050 Irish wind could contribute 2.5% to EU Electricity Demand and just over 5% of EU wind energy generation could come from Ireland
Onshore and Offshore wind could abate between 400 and 450 Mt of CO2 by 2050

20. Demand VS Generation

21. Cost comparison

22. Annual Investment

23. CO2 Abatement from Wind Energy

24. Contribution to EU

25. Annual Report -2009

26. Annual Report 2009

27. Annual Report -2009

28. Annual Report 2013

29. Annual wind farm capacity additions 1992–2013

30. Annual capacity factors – Report 2013

31. GOAL-2020

32. A Regional View of Ireland

33. North West Region Existing Scenario
Predominantly 110kv ; little 220kv ; no 400kv
Key Developments
By 2025, increase in demand -> 60%
Wind generation : Area A -> 691 MW ; Area B -> 880MW; Area C -> 269MW
Wave generation : Area B -> 240MW
In case of insufficient development of ocean technology, the attributed network capacity could be utilized by wind generation

34. North West Region

35. North West Region
750 million Euros -> 700kms – to upgrade old ones and build new circuits
Extension of 220kv network into Sligo
Major infrastructural development from Mayo to main bulk transmission system in the eastern part of the region
Further integration of Donegal and Northern Ireland networks

36. North East Region Existing Scenario
High potential for off-shore wind and some potential for on
shore wind
220kv and 400kv network in the region provides strong power corridor between Dublin and Belfast
High capacity gas system- Dublin & Northern Ireland
Key Developments
> demand up by 55%
By 2025 demand will be further up by 60%
Area A -> 145MW of wind generation
Area B- > 125MW off-shore wind generation

37. North East Region

38. North East Region 300 million Euros -> additional investment
400kv North South Interconnector between Kingscourt (Cavan) and Turleenan
400kv line from Kingscourt to Woodland
Strengthening of power circuits between North West and North East regions
Upgrading about 240kms of existing transmission network

39. West Region Existing scenario
Wind, Ocean and Hydro(Shannon Estuary)-generated electricity
3 large scale power stations
Gas transmission pipeline through a number of potential locations for gas-fired generation projects
Key developments
Peak demand up by 60%
Wind generation -> 440MW
Wave generation -> 75MW

40. West Region

41. West Region 315 million Euros -> regional transmission network
Upgraded networks supplying large urban centers
Up-rating 250kms of existing networks to facilitate higher capacity power flows
Strengthening transmission capacity across Shannon Estuary

42. East Region Existing scenario
Potential for high levels of conventional generation due to existing gas grid and the proximity of Dublin port
Large scale thermal generating stations
220kv lines need upgrading -> provides for accommodation of future exports and imports between GB and Ireland
Key developments
Electricity demand to be up by over 80% by 2025 and will be 30% of the total demand of the island
Wind generation -> 240MW

43. East Region

44. East Region
800 million Euros -> upgrading 450kms of existing network and building new circuits
Strengthening of network into and out of the region to allow the demand to be met by renewable generators in the west region
Strengthening of network serving Dublin city load to cater for rapidly growing developments in North and West Dublin

45. Midlands Region Existing Scenario
There are modest wind resources available in Midlands region
3 peat-burning stations
Supply is mainly through 110kv network
Key developments
By 2025, demand in the Midlands region is expected to grow by over 40%
Wind energy -> 160MW

46. Midlands Region

47. Midlands Region
310 million Euros -> upgrading 225km of transmission network and new circuit
Reinforcing existing 400kV line and up-rating the 110 kV network for providing capacity to supply the continuing strong growth Laois
Reinforcement of the existing transmission network circuits to cater for continued demand growth in the township regions

48. South East Region Existing Scenario
220 kV network-> high-capacity supply to the region and an underlying 110 kV
There are existing large-scale generation stations in both areas A and B
Key developments
Demand -> over 45% by 2025
Area A -> 335 MW of onshore
-> 445 MW of offshore
Area B -> 210 MW on-shore wind generation
A new interconnector from this region to either Great Britain or mainland Europe will enable the export and import of power when appropriate.

49. South East Region

50. South East Region
Additional investment -> €830m ; to upgrade approximately 490 km of the existing network and to build new infrastructure
Strengthening of the 220 kV links to both Dublin and Cork to facilitate increased power flows
Reinforcement of current infrastructure including up-rating of 110kv and 220kv circuits

51. South West Region Existing Scenario
Cork and Kerry -> abundance of natural renewable resources for wind and ocean technologies
The transmission network in the region consists of both 220 kV and 110 kV circuits.
Key Developments
Demand -> 60% by 2025
. Area A -> 730 MW of wind power
-> 145 MW of wave generated power
Area B -> 880 MW of wind power
-> 40 MW of wave generated power

52. South West Region

53. South West Region
€730m -> upgrading of approximately 130 km of transmission network and new transmission developments
Strengthening of Cork network -> export of power from East Cork region
Significant strengthening of capacity between the South West and the South East to allow excess power to flow from both renewable and conventional sources to supply demand in other parts of the country.

54. Benefits Plans facilitate growth of renewable energy generation
Increased power supply attracts future industry
Increased security of supply to the regions
Greater number of renewable generators connected
Improved network will allow for exports of renewable generation from the regions
Significant future growth in demand from both industry and domestic users can be accommodated.

55. Consequences of non-action
In the short to medium term, there will be no capacity in the network to cater for new customers
The reliability of supply to existing customers will fall below normal international standards
There will be no capacity in the network to allow further renewable generation to be connected
This will have severe consequences on the ability of Ireland to meet its renewable targets and its long-term sustainable energy supplies.

56. Summary
Integrating large amounts of wind power becomes a significant challenge , potentially raising the cost of integration
High penetration of wind power has impacts that have to be managed through proper utilization of all power system flexibility resources: interconnection, flexible generation, storage and demand-side management
SEAI forecast ->4 000 MW of renewable generation to ensure 40% of electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2020
Deployment of 400kv transmission networks instead of 220kv -> to improve efficiency and power carrying capability
Ireland to be linked to the island of Great Britain
->interconnect Ireland’s electricity market to enhance its export and import potential

57. Summary
GRID 25 provides a foundation for more detailed work on specific reinforcements in coming years and will lead to plans for particular projects which will be delivered in consultation with the public and in line with planning legislation.
Infrastructure investments related to Grid 25 -> EUR 3 billion until 2025
-> including km of new power lines
->upgrading another km of existing one
To increase the overall network length of the transmission system by around 18%

58. Thank You