Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_NGET0139 | |
| Title | PV Monitoring: Phase 1 | |
| Status | Completed | |
| Energy Categories | Renewable Energy Sources(Solar Energy, Photovoltaics) 50%; Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 50%; |
|
| Research Types | Applied Research and Development 100% | |
| Science and Technology Fields | ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100% | |
| UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation | Not Cross-cutting 100% | |
| Principal Investigator |
Project Contact No email address given National Grid Electricity Transmission |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 April 2014 | |
| End Date | 01 October 2014 | |
| Duration | 6 months | |
| Total Grant Value | £80,091 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Power | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (100.000%) |
| Web Site | http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGET0139 |
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| Objectives | The objectives for the project are to increase the visibility of effect of embedded solar generation on the GB network on demand forecasting, and reduce thereby reduce the level of reserve required to secure the balance of the system. The project will be deemed a success based on the following criteria: set up three pilot sites for PV monitoring establish reliable real-time data feed between each site and Wokingham National Control understand the challenges and costs of solar panel installation; weather station installation; communications involved in the set-up of the project establish the feasibility of this approach to collate and monitor metered generation and weather data necessary to develop forecast models and estimate solar generation if proven viable, the development of a methodology for wider scale roll-out. | |
| Abstract | The introduction of the Feed-in Tariff in April 2010 triggered a boom in solar photovoltaic (PV) generation. The total UK capacity has since grown to over 2,000 MW from 400,000 sites. Despite this, PV generation remains almost completely invisible to National Grid. All installations are connected to the distribution networks; even the largest sites are below the thresholds for requiring transmission system metering. As a result National Grid does not receive any metered data from PV sites. With no visibility of the generation output, National Grid is unable to develop forecasting models and therefore cannot effectively account for PV in balancing the system. Embedded PV generation suppresses electricity demand; this effect is highly volatile as the output depends on local levels of solar radiation. Daytime demands clearly show the effects of embedded solar generation. Demand forecast error has increased steadily over the last three years. Mean absolute forecast error at afternoon peak for before summer time 2013 was 422 MW, approximately 100 MW higher than the average pre-2012 level. This corresponds with an increase in installed solar capacity of approximately 1,500 MW. The increase in forecast error is not solely due to the increase in embedded solar generation, but it is likely to be a significant factor. A similar deterioration in performance has not been experienced for overnight demands. PV generation is a steadily growing problem for electricity demand forecasting. PV capacity is projected to reach 5,000 MW by 2020. Unless measures are made to understand and quantify solar generation output, forecast performance will deteriorate further. Research & Development By installing solar panels at three National Grid sites it will be possible to monitor and collate real-time output data. This will be linked to National Control at Wokingham. This project is the first step towards setting up a GB wide PV monitoring network using National Grid sites. Over time the network will provide the metered data necessary to effectively manage PV on the transmission system. It will provide the essential metered generation and weather data with which to develop forecast models. These will be used to forecast the national PV generation; feeding into the National Demand forecast. The live data feed will also enable us to calculate a simulated National solar generation output to display in the control room. The three pilot sites will prove the methodology for a wide scale roll-out.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 17/09/18 | |
