INTERMACAN PROJECT TECHNICAL SUMMARY A Study of … · Morocco’s National Agency for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Development (ADEREE), former CDER – Centre for the

INTERMACAN PROJECT TECHNICAL SUMMARY

A Study of Electrical Interconnection Infrastructure to Maximize Renewable Energies:

Morocco – Canary Islands

(Pozo Izquierdo, 9 February 2015)

PROJECT TECHNICAL SUMMARY

INTERMACAN

TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ..................................................................................................................... 3

2. BUDGET............................................................................................................................................. 3

3. ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED UNDER THE PROJECT ................................................................................ 4

3.1. ACTIVITY 1: ASSESSMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY POTENTIAL IN THE TARFAYA AREA (LAÂYOUNE-BOUJDOUR-SAKIA EL HAMRA REGION) ....................................................................... 4

3.2. ACTIVITY 2: EXECUTION OF STATIONARY AND DYNAMIC NETWORK STUDIES ................................ 7

3.3. ACTIVITY 3: DRAFTING OF PROPOSALS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT AND ENERGY PLANNING ......................................................................................................................................... 9

3.4. ACTIVITY 4: ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ASPECTS .........................................................10

3.5. ACTIVITY 6: DISSEMINATION ..........................................................................................................13

4. APPRAISAL OF THE MONITORING INDICATORS PROPOSED ...........................................................18

5. PROJECT’S CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVING THE ISSUES ADDRESSED ...........................................18

6. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT’S ADDED VALUE ............................................................................19

7. ENVISAGED MEASURES TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY AND OPTIMIZATION OF RESULTS ..............20

8. CONTRIBUTION AND CONSIDERATION TOWARDS CROSS-CUTTING PRIORITIES ...........................21

8.1. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES ..................................................................................................................21

8.2. ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT ......................................................................21

8.3. LABOUR MARKET ............................................................................................................................21

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1. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

The INTERMACAN Project, A Study of Electrical Interconnection Infrastructure to Maximize Renewable Energies: Morocco – Canary Islands, has been developed within the framework of the call for proposals launched by the Operational Programme for Cross-Border Territorial Cooperation: Spain – External Borders (POCTEFEX). Its overriding objective is to foster the collaboration between Morocco and the Canary Islands in order to improve the electrical infrastructure by studying electrical interconnections between Morocco and the Canaries. This project does not only analyse the possibility of interconnecting both territories, but it also intends to cover all aspects concerning energy infrastructures, and to explore the growth potential of both territories with regard to the maximisation of renewable energies, future energy planning and analysis of the legislative framework, especially in the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region, as it is the Moroccan area nearest to the Canary Islands.

This project is coordinated by the Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC) (Canary Islands Institute of Technology, which promotes the study of electrical interconnection infrastructures in order to maximize renewable energies in the Tarfaya area (Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region) and on the Canary Islands. It was developed with the collaboration of the Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canarias (ULPGC) (University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria) and Morocco’s Agence Nationale pour le Développement des Energies Renouvelables et de l’Efficacité Energétique (ADEREE) (National Agency for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Development).

To accomplish this primary goal, a series of actions have been proposed, which include the study and simulation of electrical interconnections between Morocco (the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region) and the Canary Islands, the assessment of energy resources in the Tarfaya area, the design of a good programme to improve energy infrastructures, the development of applicable regulation together with a study on the future planning of such infrastructures in Morocco. All these actions fall within the scope of five different activities.

These general actions, and other more specific ones, seek to foster cooperation and work between institutions in Morocco and the Canary Islands with a view to providing a clear overview of the state of energy infrastructures in both regions and to come up with solutions and improvements that will encourage greater penetration of renewable energies to meet the demand of both areas.

2. BUDGET

The INTERMACAN project came into being on 1 November 2011 following submission of the application for the 2nd Call of the Cross-Border Territorial Cooperation Programme: Spain – External Borders 2008-2013 (POCTEFEX), for a total sum of €788,800 for the whole project, with the cooperation of the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC) as Beneficiary Partner and Morocco’s National Agency for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Development (ADEREE), former CDER – Centre for the Development of Renewable Energy –, as Participating Partner; while the Canary Islands Institute of Technology is Lead Partner.

Most of the budget has been allocated to Activities 1 and 2, which seek to develop content and simulation models for electrical interconnection between the Canary Islands and between the Canary Islands and Morocco.

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Image 1. Overall budget for the INTERMACAN project

3. ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED UNDER THE PROJECT

In the application, the project was divided into different activities, which will be described later on; however, as the studies on the renewable energy capacity of the islands and the stability of their electrical system progressed, a decision was made to create two scenarios based on the following proposed settings for the renewable energy capacity and the interconnection:

a) 1st Scenario: This scenario presents the current situation forecast until 2020 for both the Canary Islands and the Northwest African electrical systems, which include the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region.

b) 2nd Scenario: This scenario presents the situation suggested within the framework of the INTERMACAN project, which is based on the implementation of energy generation, storage and interconnection infrastructures to meet the forecast demand for the year 2020.

In this context, the islands of Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria would be interconnected and, at the same time, connected with the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region. Meanwhile, Tenerife would stay interconnected with La Gomera, as proposed in the energy planning, and La Palma would remain electrically isolated as the electrical interconnection is neither technically nor economically viable.

Thanks to the unique infrastructure already installed on the island of El Hierro, demand can be largely met by renewable energies in a context such as the one intended for the rest of the Canary Islands in the project at hand. This island falls beyond the scope of the INTERMACAN project.

3.1. ACTIVITY 1: ASSESSMENT OF RENEWABLE ENERGY POTENTIAL IN THE TARFAYA AREA (LAÂYOUNE-BOUJDOUR-SAKIA EL HAMRA REGION)

The objectives pursued by this activity have been widely achieved and were basically as follows:

- Determining the current state of renewable energies with regard to the existing infrastructure;

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ACTIVIDAD 0 ACTIVIDAD 1 ACTIVIDAD 2 ACTIVIDAD 3 ACTIVIDAD 4 ACTIVIDAD 5 ACTIVIDAD 6 TOTAL

INTERMACAN, A Study of Electrical Interconnection Infrastructure to Maximize Renewable Energies between Morocco and the Canary Islands

ITC ULPGC Presupuesto Total

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- Identifying the potential of renewable energies in the area nearest to the Canary Islands, the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region, in Tarfaya;

- Ascertaining the policy envisaged by the different Moroccan bodies regarding energy infrastructure planning, especially for renewable energies.

To accomplish these goals, the following actions were proposed:

ACTION 1: Current situation of the renewable energy sector in the Moroccan areas nearest to the Canary Islands and analysis of the renewable energy capacity. This action must include:

- Current assessment of renewable energies, the existing and planned facilities. - Execution of study of the renewable energy potential in the area, reflecting the overall

situation as regards energy resources and renewable infrastructure in the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region.

- Execution of studies of the renewable energy potential (in terms of wind, photovoltaic and solar thermal energy) in the Tarfaya area.

ACTION 2: Analysis of the actions planned by the different Moroccan bodies, with regard to energy infrastructure planning, especially for renewable energies. This analysis seeks to appraise the envisaged infrastructure plan for renewable energies in order to make improvements to the planning based on previous studies.

ACTION 3: Analysis of possible storage systems in the area of Tarfaya.

Identifying optimal energy storage systems for the Tarfaya area (pumped storage hydroelectricity, hydrogen, flywheels, supercapacitors, etc.) in order to improve stability and reduce network disturbances caused by renewable energies.

As a result of the aforementioned studies, new studies were prepared to complement the tasks outlined in each of the previous actions. This enabled a better understanding of the overall results and provided added value to the project on account of the information gathered and the comprehensive overview they help provide, not only regarding Activity 1 but also concerning the remainder of the project’s activities and, in particular, as regards Activity 2 (Execution of Stationary and Dynamic Network Studies).

The studies essentially involved carrying out energy balances of the electrical systems on the islands and in the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region in Tarfaya, taking into consideration the energy planning for each region (renewable energy power, electrical interconnections, storage systems, etc.) and the power that can be installed beyond what has been proposed in said planning. Those energy balance models were based on the fulfilment of certain criteria, such as a minimum percentage of energy demand met through manageable energy resources or the technical minimum of thermal units, so they were adjusted and fully harmonised with the conditions and criteria established in order to conduct the network stability studies described in Activity 2.

Energy balances were carried out according to two different scenarios:

- 1st Scenario or Planning Scenario: This scenario presents the energy planning situation predicted for 2020 for the Canary Islands and the Northwest African electrical systems – in the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region to be more precise –, as this is the area nearest to the Canary Islands. This means that both the renewable and the conventional energy capacity together with the network topology planned for the year 2020 are considered, including the interconnections of La Gomera – Tenerife (2x15MVA/66kV), Lanzarote – Fuerteventura (1x60MVA/66kV + 1x120MVA/132kV) and Fuerteventura – Gran Canaria (2x125MVA/132kV).

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- 2nd Scenario: Based on the findings obtained in the 1st Scenario, alternatives are proposed in order to increase renewable energy penetration in the electrical systems considered within the INTERMACAN project, which means it is assumed that the necessary interconnection infrastructures have been implemented between the Canary Islands and Tarfaya.

In the case of the eastern electrical system, which is the one affected by the interconnection, this scenario has also been divided in two:

- First interconnection scenario: Based on the planning scenario, the Northwest African electrical system is interconnected with the eastern systems of the Canary Islands in accordance with the foundations of the INTERMACAN project.

- Optimal scenario or second interconnection scenario: Based on the results of the first interconnection scenario, as many improvements as deemed appropriate are made in order to optimize the electrical systems of both regions.

In the case of the western electrical system, the islands would topologically follow the planning scenario, but the renewable energy capacity of the islands’ electrical systems would be increased. Thus, when referring to these islands, the only distinction made is between Scenario 1 or Planning Scenario and Scenario 2 or Optimal Scenario.

The following figure illustrates the project’s philosophy more effectively:

Image 2. INTERMACAN project map

Given this situation, and as explained in the INTERMACAN project, Lanzarote, Fuerteventura and Gran Canaria would remain interconnected and, at the same time, with the Laâyoune-Boujdour- Sakia El Hamra region through a submarine link connecting Fuerteventura and Tarfaya. Meanwhile, Tenerife would stay interconnected with La Gomera, as proposed in the Spanish national energy plan, and La Palma would remain electrically isolated as its electrical interconnection with another island is neither technically nor economically viable.

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The case of the island of El Hierro is unique in the archipelago as it is where the project called “El Hierro’s Hydro-Wind Power Station”, also known as “El Hierro 100% Renewable” is being developed. This project seeks to achieve energy self-sufficiency through a hydro-wind power plant (a pumped storage hydropower plant connected to a wind farm). This project has already been implemented and was inaugurated on 27 June 2014; it is therefore expected to become operational in the months following its inauguration. This is the reason why El Hierro falls beyond the scope of the INTERMACAN project.

In addition to the energy balances carried out as part of Activity 1, additional studies which had not been initially included in the project were prepared, such as the geographic distribution of the photovoltaic capacity that can be installed on the islands or the study of energy storage systems and renewable energy potential on the Canary Islands as well and not just for the Tarfaya area, as stated in the actions.

With a view to compiling and standardising all the studies carried out as part of Activity 1, the following deliverables have been developed:

- A1-E1.- Report on the current state of renewable energies based on the existing infrastructure.

- A1-E2.- Report on the potential of renewable energies in the area nearest to the Canary Islands, the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region, in Tarfaya.

- A1-E3.- Report on the policy envisaged by the different Moroccan bodies, with regard to energy infrastructure planning, especially for renewable energies.

As mentioned previously, additional studies not included in the description of the above deliverables were carried out within the framework of this project. These studies will therefore be included in those deliverables that share similar objectives to each of the studies undertaken.

3.2. ACTIVITY 2: EXECUTION OF STATIONARY AND DYNAMIC NETWORK STUDIES

For this activity, a number of technical objectives were established, which were achieved throughout the year 2014:

- Gaining an overview of the current situation of electrical systems on the islands.

- Gaining an overview of the current situation of the regional electrical system in the Tarfaya area.

- Assessing the technical viability of the continental and insular interconnections on the Canary Islands, using the latest HVDC technology.

To achieve these goals, the following actions were proposed:

ACTION 1: Gathering information on the existing electrical infrastructure and updating mathematical models for static and dynamic simulation.

Prior to the development of network models, the information gathering phase had to be completed to largely obtain the following information:

- Previous network studies, if any.

- Detailed and updated diagrams for the generation, distribution and transmission of electricity.

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- Installed generators for both conventional and renewable energy, types, operating modes and validated models (if any) or detailed technical specifications to perform the modelling and validation.

- History and temporary record of faults such as short circuits, loss of generators, homopolar fault, etc. All this data will heighten the rigour of the analysis.

- Current electricity demand, historical development, and future estimates contained in the energy planning.

- Information on the new systems that will be installed or that have been proposed.

Dynamic models of the electrical systems on the Canary Islands and in Moroccan regions were created in order to determine the maximum penetration rate of intermittent and variable renewable energies they can handle. To this end, all the existing components of the electrical systems were modelled with a view to obtaining a mathematical model representing, as accurately as possible, the technical features of each of the components and the performance of the electrical systems as a whole.

The main studies undertaken based on the mathematical model developed are:

a) Load flow studies, contingencies and short circuits.

- System voltage profile.

- Active and reactive power current and flow, in the different branches of the network.

- Active power of generating units and loads.

- Power factors of conventional, renewable or load generating units.

- Transformer, unit and line load level.

- N-1 contingency analysis.

- Grid losses.

b) Dynamic stability study, the main goals of which are:

- Evaluating the system performance when faced with the loss of generators or loads.

- Characterisation of the excitation and the frequency and voltage regulation systems of renewable energy generation systems and their behaviour during voltage dips.

- Reducing transients due to the equipment start-up.

ACTION 2: Study of the transmission and evacuation capacity of the Moroccan electrical grid in the point nearest to the Canary Islands (the Tarfaya area).

Power system stability studies are analyses of the performance of electrical systems in different scenarios or situations they may face on a daily basis. These analyses are particularly valuable for insular systems, ends of line or systems with only a few interconnections, which consequently respond weakly to such scenarios. When projects with a high penetration of renewable energies are proposed, those projects must be supported with the corresponding network studies.

Different scenarios were established according to the penetration rate of each type of renewable energy (wind, photovoltaic and solar thermal), varying the geographical distribution of the facilities

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and the power feeding points into the electrical grid. The impact of those different scenarios on the stability of the electrical network was subsequently examined based on the stability studies.

ACTION 3: Studies of electrical interconnections on the Canary Islands. Studies of the electrical interconnections between Morocco and the Canary Islands.

Insular and continental electrical interconnections are an additional alternative to the construction of electricity-generating plants on the islands, which also bear a favourable impact on the environment, as the emission of pollutants is reduced.

Currently, the Canary Islands’ electrical systems are not interconnected, with the exception of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. If the Canary Islands’ electrical system and the continental Moroccan system were connected, the entry of new conventional and renewable energy generation on the islands could be improved, providing greater supply reliability and safety to the whole system.

At the moment, several multinationals use HVDC technology when installing power lines, which allows electrical power to be transferred by direct current. The INTERMACAN project has studied the real possibility of implementing these interconnections along with the operating modes and joint use of the proposed interconnections.

Deliverables prepared:

- A2-E1.- Report on the current situation of electrical systems on the Canary Islands.

- A2-E2.- Report on the regional electrical system in the Tarfaya area.

- A2-E3.- Report on the technical feasibility of interconnecting the Canary Islands and interconnecting Morocco with the Canary Islands.

- A2-E4.- Report on the network studies and the operating modes and joint use of the proposed interconnections.

3.3. ACTIVITY 3: DRAFTING OF PROPOSALS FOR INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENT AND ENERGY PLANNING

The objectives pursued in this activity have been widely achieved and were basically as follows:

- Producing a proposal document appropriate to the real situation of the electrical systems examined in order to improve their energy infrastructures.

To accomplish said goals, the following actions were undertaken:

ACTION 1: Preparing a report with a proposal for the modification of electrical infrastructures to improve renewable energy transmission in both Morocco and on the Canary Islands.

Once the preliminary studies have been carried out, allowing the necessary analysis to be completed and conclusions to be drawn that can be applied to the reality of the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region, a report will be drawn up with improvements regarding the production, transmission and distribution of electricity generated from renewable resources.

ACTION 2: Preparing a report with a proposal to include the necessary infrastructures in Moroccan energy planning to carry out the electrical interconnection with the Canary Islands.

As in the previous action, conclusions will be drawn from the studies carried out, in order to produce a report with proposals for the Moroccan energy planning in the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region.

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As part of the work carried out under the INTERMACAN project, and in addition to the studies concerning improvement proposals of energy infrastructures related to the production, transmission and distribution of electricity generated from renewable sources, offshore technologies have been extensively studied. A general overview of the state-of-the-art of the different technologies associated with offshore wind energy, together with an analysis of the current situation and future trends of this industry, have been prepared in order to analyse the possibilities offered by the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura to accommodate this type of technology.

All studies carried out as part of activity 3 have been included in the following deliverables:

- A3-E1.- Report on proposals for the improvements of energy infrastructures.

- A3-E2.- Study of wind resources and marine geophysics on the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote. General identification of offshore locations and creation of a regional wind map.

- A3-E3.- Study of the energy infrastructure improvements using offshore wind energy generation: study of the islands of Fuerteventura and Lanzarote.

- A3-E4.- The existing legislative and regulatory framework. Initial location of relevant areas for the installation of offshore wind farms.

3.4. ACTIVITY 4: ANALYSIS OF ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL ASPECTS

The objectives established for this activity were as follows:

- Obtaining an analysis of the existing obstacles in the Moroccan energy sector.

- Identifying different technological improvement alternatives using renewable energies and proposing ways to improve the existing energy sector regulations.

To achieve these goals, the following actions were proposed:

ACTION 1: Identifying obstacles (SWOT Analysis: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) in the energy sector on the Canary Islands and in the Tarfaya area.

This report contains a complete external analysis of the energy sector situation including sector policy and regulations, the economy, its social dimension and technological development. All the foregoing variables have been taken into consideration for both the Canary Islands and the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region, identifying key points for each variable.

In addition, an internal analysis of the INTERMACAN project was performed, starting out from its general and specific objectives, which included a summary of the studies on the existing potential for renewable energies, taking into consideration territorial criteria and energy balance and identifying key points. Key points were also established for designing interconnection infrastructures and for energy transmission and evacuation capacity through electrical interconnection infrastructures. This internal analysis also examines the socio-economic implications of the INTERMACAN project according to three relevant aspects: cooperation between institutions from Morocco and the Canary Islands, human resources and the economic aspects of the project.

Based on the external analysis carried out on the energy sector in the regions assessed and the internal analysis that focused on the project, a SWOT analysis was performed to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats of the INTERMACAN project.

With regard to the solutions proposed by the energy planning and the INTERMACAN project, the latter shows greater strengths as it envisages a higher renewable energy capacity than planned while

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reducing the system’s operational costs, owing not only to the generation of renewable energy but also to the access to a continental electricity market.

This study also includes an Estimation of the Competitive Business Potential. One of the most appealing aspects of the formulation of the INTERMACAN project is the possibility to create an energy market between the eastern islands of the archipelago and Morocco, which would prove beneficial for both regions.

In this section, a preliminary analysis has been carried out regarding the economic profitability resulting from the infrastructures proposed in the INTERMACAN project.

According to the energy legislation in the regions assessed, the System Operator is the only one responsible for operating the network and must take the necessary measures in line with the conditions to guarantee supply according to certain stability and quality ranges. In addition, the public bodies that are competent in energy matters ensure that those technical and economic conditions are met.

In view of the above considerations, it may be concluded that implementing this kind of infrastructure through private initiative would prove difficult. However, an acceptable economic profitability would be required for its eventual implementation.

When analysing the economic viability of the electrical interconnection project, current interconnections can be taken as references to verify the initial data assumed. In this regard, the closest reference to the situation which would result from implementing the aforementioned interconnection may be the existing link between the Balearic Islands and mainland Spain, which connects an insular and a continental system, and where the operational costs incurred by the mainland are similar to the existing ones in Morocco, according to the analysis undertaken.

As for the investment costs in the INTERMACAN project, two possibilities have been weighed up depending on the interconnection scenario modelled:

- Alternative 1 (First interconnection scenario): In this first scenario, the Gran Canaria – Fuerteventura electrical interconnection would be implemented according to plan, with a commercial capacity of 125 MW. Under this scenario, the Fuerteventura – Tarfaya interconnection would simply be financed by using a double circuit of 2x150kV/125 MW DC.

- Alternative 2 (Second interconnection scenario): In this case, the choice made was to install two circuits using a 25 kV multi-terminal direct current providing a commercial capacity of 250 MW (2x250kV/250 MW DC) for the optimum scenario. In addition, the repowering of the Gran Canaria – Fuerteventura interconnection would be required with the same exact settings as the ones used for the interconnection with Morocco.

International interconnections are usually financed in equal parts by participating States, so for the purpose of calculating profits by region, an equitable distribution of the investment between the Canary Islands and Morocco will be taken into consideration for the Fuerteventura – Tarfaya interconnection.

Some of the objectives accomplished thanks to the proposals put forward in the INTERMACAN project are listed below:

- Reducing the dependence on fossil fuels in electricity generation: On the Canary Islands, this reduction will be 15% in relation to what was planned for 2020. Meanwhile, in Morocco, the

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implementation of the energy planning will reduce its dependence by 27% in relation to its current value.

- Reducing the emissions of pollutants from electricity generation: Less use of conventional power generation on the Canary Islands would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 21% in relation to the situation in the planning scenario.

- Increasing the wind power that can be installed on the Canary Islands: By strengthening the energy system and using the interconnection to manage any surpluses, the wind power that can be installed can increase by 125 MW in comparison to the planning scenario.

- Increasing the photovoltaic power that can be installed on the Canary Islands: For the same reasons as stated above, an increase of 79 MW in the islands’ photovoltaic power is achieved in relation to the planning scenario.

- Reducing energy surpluses: The Fuerteventura – Tarfaya interconnection succeeds in reducing energy surpluses by 91.6% in the electrical system that comprises the islands of Lanzarote – Fuerteventura – Gran Canaria.

- Reducing the operational costs of the Canary Islands’ electrical power systems: These savings represent a profit yielded from each interconnection of €84 to €92 M/year for the Canary Islands, establishing an average operating price of almost €119/MWh.

- Creating an energy market between the Canary Islands and Morocco: Sales of energy from Morocco to the Canary Islands would generate an annual profit in the region of €83 and €89 M.

- Job creation: Based on the Renewable Energy Plan 2012-2020, it has been estimated that around 5,500 new jobs will be created, 3,100 of them in the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region and 2,400 on the Canary Islands.

ACTION 2: Studying different evolution scenarios of the energy parameters (demand, renewable energy, fuels, etc.) and analysis of the regulatory framework.

One aspect that deserves particular attention when studying the scenarios established is that, in future power systems, most of the major demands of industrial processes (cold, heat, etc.) and the water cycle (pumping, desalination, etc.) will be fully or partially manageable and will even be associated with renewable energy generation systems, thus establishing a joint strong consumption programme.

As part of action 2, it is interesting to analyse the major demand on the electrical systems on the islands and Morocco that can be managed from a technical and economic point of view. A final report on the Technical Analysis of Infrastructures and the logistics associated with wind farms on the islands of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura have been prepared, together with studies on manageable demands related to the water cycle associated with wind power generation. Other studies include a basic study of the future manageable demand in the Lanzarote-Fuerteventura interconnected system, a basic design of a wind farm associated with a standard desalination plant and an economic and technical feasibility study for a wind farm associated with a standard desalination plant.

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These reports are included in the last deliverable “A4-E2: Report on technological improvement alternatives using renewable energies and proposals to improve the existing regulations of the energy sector”.

ACTION 3: Identifying future technological options/alternatives, including hydrogen as energy vector and thermochemical cycles to help make the most of renewable energies in possible future scenarios.

A report has been drawn up identifying future technical options-alternatives.

With a view to compiling and standardising all the studies carried out as part of Activity 4, the following deliverables have been developed:

• A4-E1.- Analysis report on the existing obstacles in the Moroccan energy sector.

• A4-E2.- Report on the technological alternatives for improvement using renewable energies and proposals to improve the existing regulations of the energy sector.

3.5. ACTIVITY 6: DISSEMINATION

This activity is aimed at promoting, raising awareness and disseminating the different actions carried out as part of the project, both on the Canary Islands and in the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region.

The means of dissemination used in this project include exhibitions, trade fairs, workshops, the project website, etc. All these activities were rolled out on the Canary Islands and in Morocco.

These events served as a meeting point for representatives from public administrations and energy companies in West and Central African countries, as well as institutions and European companies specializing in the field of renewable energies.

The first informative meeting took place in June 2012. As the ITC is a partner in the MOBADARA project, participation in the building exhibition BATEXPO 2012 in Agadir was encouraged. Using the existing infrastructure and the forum in BATEXPO, the INTERMACAN project coordinated with the MOBADARA project to take part in the exhibition with a joint stand. During the event, the following activities were undertaken by INTERMACAN: the project was presented by way of the stand’s screens and leaflets, the project’s visual image was used on banner stands, answers were given to the public’s queries regarding the activities of the Renewable Energy Department and the electrical systems, and activities and projects carried out by the ITC during the Renewable Energies Forum were presented.

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Image 3. BATEXPO exhibition, Agadir, June 2012

A year later, in June 2013, as part of the commitment to disseminating and promoting the project, a workshop was organized in Marrakech on 14 June 2013, which sought to present the INTERMACAN project. The goals set forth for the technical presentation meeting were: presenting the INTERMACAN project to the different Moroccan representatives, disseminating the findings of the studies conducted to date, analysing the energy aspects necessary to support the development of renewable energies in both regions, hearing proposals from participants and contacting other Moroccan institutions.

Image 4. Workshop, Marrakech, June 2013

As a result of this meeting, the relationship between the ITC and Cadi Ayyad University strengthened, in particular with one of the University’s most prestigious centres, the National School of Applied Sciences (ENSA Marrakech), which was established in 2000 by the Ministry for Higher Education and specializes in engineering and scientific research. This collaboration enabled knowledge transfer related to the harmonisation of the Moroccan electricity system data, renewable energy plans and the legal framework concerning electricity. This has thereby strengthened the relationship between partners on the Canary Islands and the university, which fosters and favours future academic exchanges in both directions.

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Image 5. ENSA, Marrakech, June 2013

During the year 2014, the INTERMACAN project organized and held the “International Conference on Renewable Energies in West Africa and the Canary Islands” from 8 to 10 July. This conference allowed the findings of the INTERMACAN project to be disseminated and proved to be the appropriate forum for the exchange of experiences and the technical training of project partners and third countries.

With a view to increasing its international scope, the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), with which we have had a collaboration agreement for a number of years, was contacted and invited to join the conference.

Thanks to this collaboration, 15 ECOWAS countries were brought together, alongside Morocco and Mauritania, partners of projects led by the ITC and a number of international experts on the energy framework. This helped make the studies undertaken within the INTERMACAN project more visible and allowed interesting synergies to be established between project partners and countries in our geographical environment that share similar electrical characteristics.

This event served as a meeting point for representatives from public administrations and energy companies from West African countries, as well as institutions and European companies specializing in the field of renewable energies.

The event lasted three days. During the first two days, specific training was provided for the representatives of the African delegation. On the last day, an open day was held in the ITC’s facilities in Pozo Izquierdo. The details of the programme were as follows:

- July 8: Technical visit to El Hierro’s Hydro-Wind Power Station, organised exclusively for ECOWAS participants.

- July 9: Training workshop: “Integrating Renewable Energies into Weak Electrical Grids”. The workshop sought to build participants’ technical capacity as regards the integration of renewable energies into weak electrical grids, micro-grids and off-grid systems. This training session was exclusively directed at ECOWAS participants.

- July 10: Seminar: “Financing Renewable Energy Projects to Work Towards a Sustainable Energy Model in West Africa”. The ITC has shared its experiences in Africa through the cooperation programmes currently being developed there. Different mechanisms and financing options have been analysed for sustainable energy development projects. Representatives from West African countries have outlined the different national plans for integrating renewable energies into their electrical grids. This session was attended by representatives from the public and private sectors.

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Image 6. International Conferences, Pozo Izquierdo, July 2014

Training activities carried out throughout the project focused mainly on improving the knowledge of software tools in order to further develop the analytical work regarding electrical systems.

Two advanced training courses were organized on the SIEMENS SOFTWARE POWER SYSTEM SIMULATOR FOR ENGINEERING (PSS®E / version 33) to analyse electrical systems by means of stationary and dynamic analysis. In addition, training in stationary analysis was also carried out with the electrical systems at the Cadi Ayyad University of Marrakech.

This event was attended by university students in their final year of electrical engineering at the Cadi Ayyad University and served a dual purpose: on the one hand, to further develop student training in the analysis of electrical power systems using the software chosen by INTERMACAN to conduct studies and, on the other hand, to introduce the INTERMACAN project to the Moroccan university community.

This experience was a success, with the participation of 24 students, both male and female, thereby establishing collaboration synergies that resulted in some teachers from the University of Marrakech travelling to Gran Canaria for the “International Conference on Renewable Energies in West Africa and the Canary Islands”.

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Image 7. PSSE Course, Marrakech, December 2013

As part of activity 3 of the project, an analysis of offshore wind resources was performed which required the use of satellite data and advanced calculation tools. During this activity, offshore wind power generation technology was also analysed and a study of the exploitation potential for wind farms on the coasts of Lanzarote and Fuerteventura was carried out.

In addition, it was proposed an estimate be made of the energy generated in sites that meet the requirements for the implementation of wind farms. For energy calculations, advanced simulation tools that employed satellite wind data had to be used as there is no offshore wind data available. To this end, the Openwind software was used, which led to the organization of an advanced workshop on the processing of wind data, in which anyone from the ITC’s Renewable Energy Department who had a direct link with wind resources and its use could take part.

Although this is a really powerful free software, it is more complex than other tools available on the market. In complex environments such as the Canary Islands or near the coast (like island weather), this software offers a powerful performance that cannot be matched by the others, as it incorporates a highly effective CFD model combined with mesoscale information.

As part of the informative and training elements used in this project, an interactive web-based tool was developed jointly with the ULPGC that helps bring the project closer to the general public. This web application is called ADI Intermacan and is available on the project webpage at the following link: http://www.intermacan.itccanarias.org/es/intermacan/8-contenidos/38-aplicacion-didactica-interactiva. This tool performs a simulation of the electrical behaviour of an interconnected grid on the Canary Islands. It also explains how electrical systems work and how their efficiency can be improved thanks to the implementation of interconnections.

Thanks to the ADI Intermacan application, a teaching tool is available on the web to understand insular electrical power systems. This tool is available in several languages: Spanish, English and French. From an academic point of view, this constitutes a very interesting resource for both secondary schools and universities. Furthermore, the fact that it is available in several languages makes its integration in the classrooms of our Moroccan partners easier.

Image 8. ADI Intermacan

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http://www.intermacan.itccanarias.org/es/intermacan/8-contenidos/38-aplicacion-didactica-interactiva

http://www.intermacan.itccanarias.org/es/intermacan/8-contenidos/38-aplicacion-didactica-interactiva


INTERMACAN

4. APPRAISAL OF THE MONITORING INDICATORS PROPOSED

At the time of the project’s launch, certain monitoring indicators were proposed, such as the number of studies and reports obtained, promotion and training actions, visits to the project webpage, etc., and the truth is that, upon completion of the project, all the objectives have been widely achieved.

The goal was to produce at least ten final reports or deliverables and, in reality, 30 additional technical reports on average have been developed, which have broadened the project’s objectives.

Thanks to the contact that has been maintained with different electrical companies in the power generation, distribution, transmission sector and the manufacture of electrical equipment sector, and to the technical meetings held with independent professionals and administration representatives, a very interesting climate for professional exchange was fostered.

As part of the promotion, the INTERMACAN project took part in the BATEXPO Fair in 2012 and it was exhibited in a workshop in Marrakech in 2013, at the University of Marrakech in 2013 and in the International Conference on Renewable Energies in 2014, and it has always been available on the project webpage.

Four training actions, which had initially been included as part of activity 6, were organized: one course on wind power resources, two courses on PSSE in Gran Canaria and one introductory course on PSSE in Morocco.

The performance indicators proposed included: the number of participants in seminars and other activities carried out, the number of institutions involved, companies benefited, teaching tools created and visits to the project webpage.

An average of 200 participants in seminars and other actions undertaken was expected and we believe that this goal has been achieved.

Among the participating bodies, originally ITC, ULPGC and ADEREEA, Cadi Ayyad University should also be added as, despite not participating as a beneficiary partner, it has become a very active collaborator.

By the project end, we had had more than 5,000 visits to the INTERMACAN webpage.

5. PROJECT’S CONTRIBUTION TO IMPROVING THE ISSUES ADDRESSED

The idea for the INTERMACAN project stems from the current energy problems faced by the Canary Islands. The existing energy policy model, at national and regional level, is based on financial instruments that offset the extra costs of isolated systems.

Due to the recent increase in oil prices, the financial sustainability of this compensation policy is in jeopardy and the need for low-cost technologies that use cheaper raw materials is accentuated.

It is in this scenario that power generation systems using renewable sources become competitive. A comprehensive analysis must be carried out in order to determine the technologies that can be used and the energy needs that can be met, as well as to evaluate the load limits of the Canary Islands and Morocco’s electrical systems, bearing in mind that the areas being evaluated are located in fragile environments. Furthermore, the performance of electrical systems when the energy from renewable sources and from the submarine link is incorporated into the network should be assessed.

Renewable energy sources are natural resources. The flood of technological innovations and the increasing versatility of mechanisms that obtain electrical energy from renewable sources call for the use of tools that facilitate decision-making and the selection of criteria that will help energy systems boost their efficiency.

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Insular electrical systems are the least efficient in the European Union. Any solution that improves said systems and allows power generation systems using renewable resources to be incorporated would provide relief for government finances, which so far are responsible for offsetting the extra costs arising from the current generation model on the islands.

INTERMACAN has sought coordination between the Canary Islands and the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region in order to tackle the current energy problem. Both regions share a geographical proximity and a joint interest on the part of relevant institutions in developing this kind of project.

In the framework of the project, several proposals are made regarding new interconnection systems that will enable the topology and the strengths of the electrical systems on the Canary Islands to be improved, with the aim of achieving the greater presence of renewable energies from own resources and from the south of Morocco.

The area that has been selected is located in the nearest region and has been identified as the best area to expand infrastructures and achieve a greater presence of renewable energy resources for a potential joint power grid between Morocco and the Canary Islands. This concerns the Tarfaya area, in the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region.

Furthermore, the project is consistent with European, national and regional energy policies and its implementation seeks to help achieve the EU’s climate change and sustainable energy objectives, reduce CO2 emissions, boost energy efficiency, increase the independence of energy supply and foster the development of renewable energies.

6. DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT’S ADDED VALUE

The INTERMACAN project’s added value lies in the growing closeness and cooperation of institutions from both regions of the Atlantic Area (the Canary Islands and the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region) in the fields of energy infrastructures, renewable energies, future energy planning and improvement of the legislative framework. The project develops different innovative areas with added value in relation to the Canary Islands – Morocco interconnection, renewable energy optimization, energy planning and improvement of the legislative framework, all of them carried out under the activities of this project. Based on the project results, it has been concluded that there is a favourable cooperation climate with the following opportunities:

Morocco and the Canary Islands have set a number of ambitious energy targets for themselves for 2020.

Cooperation agreements between Morocco and Spain concerning energy matters.

Open climate for external investment in Morocco.

Investment support programmes in Morocco.

Speeding up the procedures for obtaining authorisation in Morocco thanks to the collaboration with ADEREE (Morocco’s National Agency for Renewable Energy Development and Energy Efficiency), ONEE (Morocco's National Electricity Office), MASEN (the Moroccan Agency for Solar Energy), etc.

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National legislation applies differential treatment to the Canary Islands owing to their island status.

Legislative efforts have been undertaken to unblock the energy situation on the Canary Islands.

Declaration of “general interest” as a tool to unblock certain energy projects on the Canary Islands with regard to territorial restrictions.

Rapid evolution of the renewable energy sector is foreseen in Morocco in accordance with the projects underway.

7. ENVISAGED MEASURES TO ENSURE SUSTAINABILITY AND OPTIMIZATION OF RESULTS

Among the objectives established by the INTERMACAN project, emphasis should be placed on those actions concerning the cooperation between institutions in Morocco and on the Canary Islands as a means of developing joint measures that encourage a solution for the existing problems in current energy models of both regions.

This has been one of the key milestones since the project’s outset and cooperation was established between three main institutions: the Canary Islands Institute of Technology (main beneficiary), the Institute of Intelligent Systems and Numerical Applications in Engineering (SIANI – ULPGC) and Morocco’s National Agency for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Development (ADEREE).

The purpose and goals of this project have always been to establish lasting cooperation between Morocco and the Canary Islands and to gain political support aimed at developing renewable energies and improving energy infrastructures.

Thanks to the INTERMACAN project, knowledge has been generated along with the necessary tools regarding the planning of electrical infrastructures and the optimization of renewable energies in order to place them at the service of the relevant institutions in charge of these issues on the Canary Islands and in Morocco, and so that the studies developed serve as baseline data for a future electrical interconnection between the Canary Islands and Morocco.

Among the expected results in the project execution, the following achieved objectives should be highlighted:

An analysis was carried out of the potential of renewable energies in the Laâyoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra region, which evaluated the different possibilities of use and the existing infrastructures.

Efforts have been made to encourage cooperation and involvement from partners in other technical calls for proposals issued with regard to the electrical interconnection studies between Morocco and the Canary Islands and the optimization of renewable energies.

Stationary and dynamic studies have been developed in order to conduct an assessment of the electrical systems in Morocco and on the Canary Islands, and to determine the amount of renewable energy allowed and study their performance.

Economic and social aspects hindering the development and operation of the energy sector have been analysed, thereby achieving a future plan that provides for more input from renewable energies.

Technical capacities of the professionals involved have been improved through seminars and specific training.

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By executing this project, the goal is to increase the effectiveness of the energy sector in Morocco and on the Canary islands. To this end, our goal is for all the proposed actions to be carried out, even though this objective extends beyond the scope of this project. We must capitalize on the studies and simulations performed for the electrical interconnection between Morocco and the Canary Islands, maximize renewable energy facilities, introduce energy storage systems, modify energy planning and improve regulations.

8. CONTRIBUTION AND CONSIDERATION TOWARDS CROSS-CUTTING PRIORITIES

8.1. EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES

The seminars developed within the framework of the project and the documents produced are open to individuals’ participation and/or consultation, whether they are men, women or people with disabilities, pursuant to the existing regulations at community and national level provided by Law 3/2007, of 22 March 2007, on effective equality for women and men, and Law 51/2003, of 2 December 2003, on equal opportunities, non-discrimination and universal accessibility for persons with disabilities. The project is therefore defined as “neutral” on equal opportunity issues.

The technical meetings, seminars, trade fairs and training actions that have been undertaken have been a resounding success as regards participation in activities developed in both Gran Canaria and Morocco without gender distinction. By way of example, during the training delivered in Morocco, 24 students participated, both male and female, establishing collaboration synergies that resulted in some teachers from the University of Marrakech travelling to Gran Canaria for the “International Conference on Renewable Energies in West Africa and the Canary islands”.

8.2. ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

The actions developed under the project encourage the implementation and use of renewable energies, which allows the sustainable development of the concerned regions, reducing the impact on the environment to a minimum. As this is one of this project’s main areas of focus, we believe the contribution made in this regard by the activities to be executed is remarkable.

8.3. LABOUR MARKET

Even though the drafting of the technical documentation allowed the beneficiary bodies to finance human resources and to sub-contract personnel, the INTERMACAN project had not envisaged job creation or boosting economic growth in the region as a direct action. However, the studies on the electrical interconnection between the Canary Islands and Morocco and the studies to increase the implementation of renewable energies, together with energy planning and the improvement of the regulatory framework will allow new companies and jobs to be created in the energy sector, which would exert a long-term positive impact on economic growth and job creation.

With a view to carrying out a general assessment of the jobs created thanks to the initiatives proposed in the INTERMACAN project, the job creation ratios established by the Renewable Energies Plan will be taken into account and the jobs created will be compared to those created by executing the plan.

It has been estimated that, thanks to the execution of the proposals made in the INTERMACAN project, 5,500 new positions in Morocco and on the Canary Islands will be created in addition to the estimate made in the planning, which accounts for a 20% increase in job creation. These positions are both direct, relating to the phases of promotion, evaluation of resources, the project and implementation, and indirect, relating to the maintenance, the operation and other services.

On this basis, it was concluded that actions must be carried out that allow professionals to obtain the necessary qualifications in both regions to design and implement the energy infrastructures planned.

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Under the INTERMACAN project, technical seminars have been held in both regions such as the course on the PSS®E software (Gran Canaria) or the introductory course on the analysis of electrical power systems (Marrakech), which have enabled the training of human resources and, in turn, technical capacity-building.

Image 9. PSSE Training

All of this shows that the development and achievement of the energy goals set forth not only encourage technical and economic improvement regarding the use of electrical systems, but also reveals that the effects extend beyond the project and bear an impact on vitally important social aspects such as job creation, human resources training and the opening of new businesses.

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Documents

INTERMACAN PROJECT TECHNICAL SUMMARY A Study of … · Morocco’s National Agency for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Development (ADEREE), former CDER – Centre for the