8/12/2019 137341447 Challenges in Connecting Renewable Energy Into the South African Grid

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Wayne Kitching

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Introduction SAs power generation is still dominated by Eskom

Mostly coal.

DoEsIRP 2 sets targets for introduction of renewablegeneration.

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Contents Technical Challenges

Unfamiliarity of local industry with RE

Ability to evacuate the required amount of power

Grid code compliance Compliance with Eskom/ Utility standards

Health and safety

Civil/Infrastructure

Commercial Challenges PPA

Bureaucracy and inefficiencies in supply authorities

Overseas developers lack of understanding of SA

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Lack of understanding of SA Difficult to quantify, but:

The large amounts of copper used in the collectornetwork and earthing would be very attractive to thieves

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Commercial challenges PPA may not be to the developers advantage

Rates not nearly as high as some European feed-in

tariff rates makes it more difficult to make a profit. Reliance on Eskom and munics for building

infrastructure will probably introduce delays.

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Local industry not familiar with RE Supply authorities not used to RE/embedded generators in their

network. Lack of understanding may lead to misinterpretation of grid code

may lead to supply authorities constantly moving the goal posts,

Local suppliers may not have the correct cable and the ideallengths MV cables only in rolls of 300 or 500 m (Wind).

Local LV cables may not be suitable for solar applications needcables that will withstand conditions including UV radiation.

As wind and solar farms need large amounts of cable, shortagesmay occur when several projects are being constructed

Cable manufacturers may not be able to keep up with demandwhen a number of RE projects are under construction

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Grid code compliance Grid code document for RE generators has not been

finalised yet although Wind Grid code has been approved

Some signed agreements may not comply with it as supply

authorities dont.

LVRT requirements in SA Wind Grid code stricter thanmost countries codes many generators/inverters willprobably not comply.

WTG manufacturers wont supply models of their product When connecting using long lines (even short lines when

using MV) Q and V requirements not met

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Ability to evacuate the required

amount of power Most RE projects are in remote areas

Electrical network inadequate for evacuating the

required amount of power will need gridstrengthening.

In some cases it may mean long lines and largetransformers, even though Eskoms TDP does take into

account some RE project.

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Compliance with Eskom/ Utility

standards For Eskom connections, the grid connection must

comply with Distribution Standard for the integrationof Embedded Generators

Has specific requirements about anti-islandingprotection and other requirements for the PUC

Cant therefore copy a design from another country

without modifying, Other utilities probably dont have standards. NRS

documents not finalised yet.

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Health and safety During construction, the nature of the projects are

likely to be unlike projects contractors have worked onbefore.

Increases the risk of H&S incidents

Operationally, extra sources are introduced into thegrid greater risk of electrocution of maintenance

personnel if proper isolating/earthing proceduresarent in place or arent followed.

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Civil/ Infrastructure/

constructability In many RE sites, the access roads will need upgrade,

especially for wind farms May not be able to take turbine blades and mast around

corners

Overseas, digging trenches and laying cable is donewith a machine. In SA, manual labour may need to beused.

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Lack of understanding of SA

situationWind/solar facilities use large amounts of copper for

earthing and the collector network. Major risk of theft.

Cultural/ language differences may pose challengeswhen working with overseas developers.

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Minimising the risk Self-build the Eskom/Utility infrastructure