The Isle of Eigg
Total Page:16
File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Modelling, Optimisation and the Lessons Learned of a Renewable Based Electrical Network – The Isle of Eigg Author: Lewis Breen Supervisor: Dr Paul Tuohy A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment for the requirement of the degree Master of Science Sustainable Engineering: Renewable Energy Systems and the Environment 2015 Copyright Declaration This thesis is the result of the author’s original research. It has been composed by the author and has not been previously submitted for examination which has led to the award of a degree. The copyright of this thesis belongs to the author under the terms of the United Kingdom Copyright Acts as qualified by University of Strathclyde Regulation 3.50. Due acknowledgement must always be made of the use of any material contained in, or derived from, this thesis. Signed: Lewis Breen Date: 23/07/15 Abstract The landscape of electrical supply is changing. There is a pressing need for humanity to wean itself off its reliance on finite fossil fuel resources and switch to sustainable forms of energy capture. This has led to a rapid expansion of the renewable energy sector over recent decades; in the form of both large scale renewable “farms” and smaller distributed generation. Distributed generation is of a much smaller power rating and is sourced much closer to loads – which is against the conventional model of the Megawatt rated power plant located significant distances away from its point of demand. This report looks into the renewable-based microgrid on the Isle of Eigg – a small non- grid-connected island on the West coast of Scotland. A model of the electrical network is created and validated using the HOMER (Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources) software package. The model is then scrutinised to investigate how such a system can be optimised to maximise renewable penetration; which is defined as the ratio of power from renewables (used to meet a load) to the value of the demand load itself. The findings and the ‘lessons learned’ that can be applied further afield are then presented, discussed and compared with other microgrid configurations. It was concluded that there is a definitive need for a mix in renewable generation technologies, along with increased storage capacities, when aiming to achieve maximised renewable penetration. Increasing either storage or generation capacities alone works to an extent, but the effect quickly becomes saturated due to numerous limiting factors. Adverse weather and/or climatic conditions should be also considered closely in the design stage of renewable based grids. The importance of “stress tests” on such models is demonstrated as these conditions can act as a severe detriment to the renewable penetration of an apparently autonomous grid. 3 Acknowledgements I would like to take this opportunity to thank La Fundación IBERDROLA for their financial support during my MSc Course in Sustainable Engineering: Renewable Energy Systems and the Environment. Without their financial backing, in the form of a scholarship, I may not have been able to participate in the degree program. This research was supported by the Newton Fund RCUK-CONFAP Research Partnership, 'Challenges and Futures for new technologies: finding (e)quality in work, water and food in the energy frontiers', between University of Strathclyde, Federal University of Goiás and State University of Goiás, Brazil. Without their funding, the field trip aspect of this thesis would not have been achievable. The importance of the field trip cannot be underestimated; it allowed for solid knowledge and understanding of Eigg’s electrical network to be achieved, and for numerous contacts to be made who provided the essential data required for this report. I would like to highlight the contributions of John Booth, Maggie Fyffe and numerous other residents of the Isle of Eigg. During the field trip aspect of this project the islanders were extremely welcoming, patient and informative. They are proud of what they have achieved so far with their venture and continue to be a leading example of how a community can maximise their sustainability. Much can be, and will continue to be learned from the community. Their continued support throughout this project was greatly appreciated. Lastly, but not least, a big thank you to all of my lecturers during this year of study. Your continued support, enthusiasm and knowledge has made the degree course more informative, enjoyable and rewarding than I ever could have hoped for. Thank you! 4 Table of Contents Acknowledgements .................................................................................................... 4 Table of Contents ....................................................................................................... 5 Nomenclature ............................................................................................................. 8 List of Figures ............................................................................................................ 9 List of Tables ........................................................................................................... 11 1. Introduction .......................................................................................................... 12 1.1. Objective ....................................................................................................... 14 1.2. Methodology ................................................................................................. 15 2. Literature Review ................................................................................................. 16 3. Microgrids ............................................................................................................ 22 3.1. The Isle of Eigg as a Microgrid ..................................................................... 25 3.2. Eigg’s Renewable Performance .................................................................... 28 4. Modelling Eigg using HOMER and Validation ................................................... 30 Demand Profile ..................................................................................................... 31 Hydro .................................................................................................................... 33 Wind ..................................................................................................................... 35 PV ......................................................................................................................... 38 Validation of Renewables Model ......................................................................... 40 Batteries ................................................................................................................ 42 Validation of Battery Model ................................................................................. 44 Converter .............................................................................................................. 47 Generators ............................................................................................................. 47 4.1. Summarised Findings with respect to the Eigg Model ................................. 48 5 5. Optimisation of Eigg’s Electrical Network .......................................................... 50 5.1. Storage ........................................................................................................... 50 5.1.1 Increasing Battery Capacity ......................................................................... 51 5.1.2 Li-ion Batteries ............................................................................................ 53 5.1.3 Flow Battery ................................................................................................ 58 5.1.4 Hydrogen Fuel Cell ..................................................................................... 63 5.1.5 Pumped Storage ........................................................................................... 67 5.1.6 Flywheel ...................................................................................................... 71 5.2. Increased Renewable Generation Capacity ................................................... 74 5.2.1 Wind Capacity Increase ............................................................................... 75 5.2.2 PV Capacity Increase ................................................................................... 79 5.2.3 Biofuel for Diesel Generators ...................................................................... 82 5.3. Maximising the Renewable Penetration of the Model .................................. 85 5.3.1 Reaching 100% Renewable Penetration ...................................................... 87 Configuration 1: Increased Wind with Li-Ion Batteries ....................................... 87 Configuration 2: Increased Wind with Hydrogen Storage ................................... 88 Configuration 3: Increased Wind and PV with Vanadium Redox Flow Battery Storage .................................................................................................................. 89 Configuration 4: Increased Wind with Rolls Battery Storage .............................. 89 6. Lessons Learned from the Eigg Model ................................................................. 90 7. Discussion ............................................................................................................