Impacts of, and limits to, wide scale embedded generation from micro-chp and photovoltaics

Completed

Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics)
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electric power conversion)
Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Basic and strategic applied research

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Professor D G Infield
Electronic and Electrical Engineering
University of Strathclyde

Standard

EPSRC

01 March 2003

28 February 2006

36 months

£130,358

Energy

Scotland

Faraday - Eng for Infrastructure -- Process Environment and Sustainability

Professor D G Infield, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde

Mr M Thomson, Loughborough University

Project Contact, Advantica Ltd
Project Contact, East Midlands Electricity Ltd

According to the UK government's target, 10% of electricity is to be generated from renewable energy sources by 2010; a large proportion being connected to the distribution system. Alongside this it has become clear that new domestic and commercial scale micro-chp systems could make considerable inroads into conventional electricity supply, with the potential to reduce C02 emissions, reduce transmission and distribution losses, and perhaps improve the reliability of supply. Boththeseforms of embedded electricity generation (ie renewable and non-renewable) although attractive from an environmental standpoint, pose challenges and possible operational problems for the electricity distribution system. By working with both a Distribution Network Operator, and a major developer of micro-chp, this research seeks to address key operational issues and identify safe limits for embedded generation capacity. The two forms of generation to be specifically addressed will be domestic micro-chp and photovoltaics. The research will be based on electricity system modelling. Component models for photovoltaic modules, inverters, and micro-chp generators will be developed and integrated into a detailed representation of a low voltage section (below 11 kV) of a typical semi-urban local distribution system. Load flow and other modelling studies, based on typical electricity consumption patters and anticipated generation profiles, will be undertaken to identify safe limits for embedded generation capacity. Operational benefits will be quantified and strategies to maximise value developed

01/01/07