OES / Collaborative Annexes / Annex III - Integration of Ocean Energy Plants into Distribution and Transmission Electrical Grids

Collaborative Annexes

Annex III - Integration of Ocean Energy Plants into Distribution and Transmission Electrical Grids

Operating Agent

Powertech Labs Inc. of Canada

Dr. Gouri S. Bhuyan
P.Eng.,Fellow ASME
Principal Advisor - Alternative Energy Powertech Labs Inc
12388-88th Ave., Surrey, BC, CANADA V3W 7R7
Adjunct Professor, University of BC
Ph: +1 604 590 7407
Fax: +1 604 590 5347
E-mail: gouri.bhuyan@powertechlabs.com
website: http://www.powertechlabs.com


Objectives

The primary purposes of this Annex/Task 3 are to conduct cooperative research concerning the generation, transmission, and economics of integrating ocean energy into electrical grids and to provide a forum for relevant information exchange. Specific objectives of the Annex are as follows:



  • Identify potential differences and opportunities associated with integration of wave and tidal current energy plants to electrical grids, in comparison to wind energy,

  • Develop a relevant interconnection guideline for electrical utilities and/or project developers considering connecting pilot wave and tidal current projects to the grids,

  • Create a comprehensive database for characterizing well advanced wave and tidal current conversion systems,

  • Demonstrate integration of wave & tidal current energy plants to electrical grids through case studies involving simplified network modeling techniques, and identify the near-term & longer-term practical level of the ocean power that could be integrated in target geographical areas for a member country, and

  • Coordinate the work of this Annex with relevant activities being carried out within IEA as well as by individual participating members.


Work program

This Annex will draw upon research efforts within member countries related to integration of ocean energy within an electricity supply system.  The participating member countries will determine level of contributions to various work packages of the work program and the organizations that will be participating in this Annex. Annual meetings of the Annex will follow.
The Executive Committee approved the revised work program of Annex III in March 2007.

Participants will carry out the following Subtasks:

Subtask 3.1:  Identify issues and opportunities
The scopeof this subtask includes identifying integration issues that are different from those involved with the integration of wind energy and the opportunities associated with the integration of ocean energy. Based on an analysis of the issues and opportunities, an interconnection guideline will be developed.
Task Leader: Canada

Subtask 3.2:  Describe the dynamic characteristics of ocean energy electricity generators
The scope of this subtask includes:

  • Reviewing the steady-state power characteristics of device types
  • Developing a dynamic model for devices
  • Analyzing the impact of a wave/tidal current generator on the design of an offshore network

There is a need to gather and develop an authoritative, comprehensive and unbiased dynamic characteristics of relevant wave and tidal current conversion technologies, and to present results in such a way that these models can be easily used for carrying out load flow and network stability analysis.
Task Leader: Ireland

Subtask 3.3:  Identify the near-term and longer-term practical potential of ocean power, through case studies involving the integration of ocean energy plants with distribution and transmission networks

The scopeof this subtask includes carrying out case studies involving network modelling for integrating ocean energy plants into distribution and transmission networks.
Specific case studies involving some target market areas within participating countries will also determine the present capacity limits for integrating ocean energy resources. The case studies will determine what could be obvious market potential for ocean energy resources in these target areas, and the associated distribution and transmission grid upgrading costs, considering future scenarios. These simplified case studies must consider a system-wide perspective. They could also include a cross-boarder network analysis to determine capacity and identify congestion.
Contributions from the participating members for this subtask will be in the form of case studies that:

  • Illustrate network modelling:
  • Identify grid constraints and limitations and the synergy of integration with other renewable energy forms such as offshore wind combined with offshore wave and ocean renewable energy combined with hydropower and other types of generation

Task Leader: UK

Subtask 3.4: Coordinate activities
The scope of this subtask is primarily to coordinate the activities of this Annex with other relevant IEA implementing agreements and initiatives.
Task Leader: UK

Funding

Each participant has agreed to contribute 3000 Euro to Task/Annex 3.


Time Schedule

The Annex was approved by the OES-IA Executive Committee in Lisbon, November 2006 meeting. After approval of the work program of the Annex at the Mexico City meeting of the ExCo, the Annex shall remain in force until May 2009.
It may be further extended by agreement of two or more Participants, acting in the Executive Committee, taking into account any recommendation of the Agency’s Committee on Energy Research and Technology concerning the term of this Annex.


Participants

Canada
Ireland
United Kingdom
New Zealand
Spain


Progress meetings

February 2007, London, UK
A kick-off meeting for the Annex, hosted by the UK Department of Trade & Industry, DTI (currently known as Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, BERR), was held in London on February 22, 2007, to finalize the proposed work program of Annex III and identify members interested in participating in different work packages.


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