5.2.5.1 Recall on Technological Opportunities
As mentioned above, the development of RESs and the expansion of the European market required to reinforce the transmission system, eliminating bottlenecks to allow higher power transfer over long distances and greater flexibility of operation. However, due to public opposition to new infrastructures, solutions must be found, that are efficient and with low environmental and visual impact. To this aim, in addition to conventional HVAC technologies, like overhead lines, substations, transformers, reactors, capacitors, protection, etc.,
transmission technologies may include innovative devices like:
Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) underground HVAC cables; Gas Insulated Lines (GILs);
High Temperature (HT)/High Temperature Low Sag (HTLS) Conductor-based overhead lines (OHLs);
ISGAN Annex 6, Task 1-2 Discussion Paper Page 85 High Temperature Superconducting Cables (HTSCs);
Innovative-design HVAC OHLs; Extra HVDC (EHVAC) OHLs; Fault Current Limiters (FCLs); Phase Shifting Transformers (PSTs); HVDC38 OHLs/cables;
FACTS devices39;
Wide Area Monitoring/Control/Protection Systems (WAMSs/WACSs/WAPSs); Dynamic Line Rating (DLR)/ Real Time Thermal Rating (RTTR)-controlled
OHLs/cables.
Details on the technologies are reported in the discussion paper of ISGAN Annex 6 Tasks 3-4. [18] In the following, some considerations are presented concerning the development trends of main technologies in Europe [13]:
(1) In a context of public opposition toward more OHLs and lengthy permit procedures, the following technology development trends are recorded:
(a) Several technologies, not having control features, like XLPE underground cables, and innovative OHLs with HT conductors and based on new tower designs, are ready to respond to network expansion needs, while GILs might be available for specific applications in a mid-long term horizon.
(b) HTSCs, even though promising, are still a controversial topic for which real life transmission applications would probably occur, but not before 2030.
(2) Concerning technologies having control features, several applications already exist outside Europe (lately in countries like China) and in some regions of Europe. Large- scale experiments are also underway in Europe and scheduled for the coming years to validate at full scale critical HVDC components, PSTs, and dedicated FACTS configurations, combined with DLR/RTTR-based systems and WAMSs towards RES integration. Their replication will be decided on a case-by-case basis, based on coordinated investment between TSOs to encourage cross-border optimization on technical and economic standpoints.
(3) Introducing technologies like FACTS, HVDC, and DLR/RTTR systems will inevitably make the dynamic operations of the pan-European transmission system more complex. Transients and network instabilities will be considered in future short- term operational planning of the electricity systems, requiring increased numerical
38
HVDC systems can be further distinguished in devices based on line-commutated current source converter (CSC - HVDC) and on self-commutated voltage source converter) (VSC-HVDC).
39 FACTS devices can be further distinguished in shunt, series and combined FACTS elements. Among shunt controllers the main devices are the Static VAR Compensator (SVC) and the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM). The series controllers category includes devices such as the Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC) and the Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC). Devices such as the Thyristor Controlled Phase Shifting Transformer (TCPST), the Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC), the Dynamic Flow Controller (DFC), and the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) belong to the category of combined FACTS controllers.
ISGAN Annex 6, Task 1-2 Discussion Paper Page 86 simulations of coupled power systems; their complexity will continue to grow to assess system security beyond the borders of each TSO control area.
(4) The indirectly impacting technologies should ease TSOs’ operations in the next 20 years:
(a) Smart metering at the distribution level allows monitoring capabilities of the low voltage network. It can be coupled with smarter substations to provide TSOs with increased observability of DGs and consumption, which in turn will serve implementing demand response approaches to manage peak load efficiently. (b) Massive electricity (centralized and decentralized) storage can take into account
the change of the design paradigm of electric systems and make wind and solar electricity be produced at times where there is not enough consumption needs. Electricity storage facilities can be optimally located close to generation centers. Large-scale demonstrations are needed by 2020 to prepare a massive
development of electricity storage systems that would have benefits for the whole electric system (peak management, balancing and even system services). (5) The wealth of technologies available or under development opens new options for
future transmission network architectures, including the ones needed to link offshore wind farms (offshore grids).
In summary, in the short- to mid-term (up to 2020) horizon, these transmission
technologies may emerge: HVAC XLPE cables, VSC-HVDC, FACTS (static VAR compensator (SVC) and static synchronous compensator (STATCON), also with storage), HTC/HTLS, DLR/RTTR- monitored OHLs/cables, WAMSs/PMUs, and innovative design-HVAC OHLs. In the mid- to long- term (after 2020) horizon, these transmission technologies may emerge: multi-terminal VSC- HVDC, FACTS (static synchronous series compensator (SSSC), thyristor controlled phase shifting transformer (TCPST), unified power flow controller (UPFC)), FCL, GIL (after 2025), and HTSC (after 2030).
5.2.5.2 Introducing Technological Options in the Planning Pprocess
This subsection presents the approach of an ongoing European research project, named GridTech [28], aimed to conduct a fully integrated assessment of new grid-impacting
technologies and their implementation into the future European electricity system (in a 2020, 2030, and 2050 timeframe). This will allow comparing different technological options towards the exploitation of the full potential of future electricity production from RESs, with the lowest possible total electricity system cost. Within the project, the analysis is preliminarily devoted to the most promising and innovative technologies that directly or indirectly impact on the
transmission system. Two general categories of technologies to be investigated can be distinguished: (1) technologies directly impacting on the transmission system and (2) technologies indirectly impacting on the transmission system.
The first category includes technologies that are generally planned/operated by TSOs; the use of these technologies is then generally in the hands of TSOs. Transmission grid
ISGAN Annex 6, Task 1-2 Discussion Paper Page 87 In addition to conventional HVAC (High Voltage Alternating Current) technologies, like overhead lines (OHLs), substations, transformers, reactors, capacitors, protection etc., TGT may include innovative devices like:
Cross-Linked Polyethylene (XLPE) underground HVAC cables; Gas Insulated Lines (GILs);
High Temperature (HT)/High Temperature Low Sag (HTLS) Conductor-based overhead lines (OHLs);
High Temperature Superconducting Cables (HTSCs); Innovative-design HVAC OHLs;
Extra HVDC (EHVAC) OHLs; Fault Current Limiters (FCLs); Phase Shifting Transformers (PSTs);
HVDC40
OHLs/cables; FACTS devices41;
Wide Area Monitoring/Control/Protection Systems (WAMSs/WACSs/WAPSs); Dynamic Line Rating (DLR)/ Real Time Thermal Rating (RTTR)-controlled
OHLs/cables.
Particular focus is on the most mature and promising of these transmission technologies (starting from PST, HVDC, FACTS, WAMSs, and DLR/RTTR-devices) towards RES integration in the European system.
The second category includes technologies that are generally not planned/operated by TSOs; the use of these technologies is not in the hands of TSOs. Electricity generation
technologies (including variable RES-E), energy storage technologies, and demand-side technologies belong to the second category.
Integration of renewable and distributed energy resources—encompassing large scale at the transmission level, medium scale at the distribution level, and small scale on commercial or residential building—can present challenges for the dispatchability and controllability of
variable RES and for operation of the electricity system. Energy storage systems can alleviate such problems by decoupling the generation and delivery of energy. Smart grids can help through automated control of generation and demand (in addition to other forms of demand response) to ensure balancing of supply and demand.
In addition to conventional electricity generation technologies, like thermal, nuclear and hydroelectric power plants, innovative electricity generation technologies (variable RES) may
40
HVDC systems can be further distinguished in devices based on line-commutated current source converter (CSC - HVDC) and on self-commutated voltage source converter) (VSC-HVDC).
41 FACTS devices can be further distinguished in shunt, series and combined FACTS elements. Among shunt controllers the main devices are the Static VAR Compensator (SVC) and the Static Synchronous Compensator (STATCOM). The series controllers category includes devices such as the Thyristor Controlled Series Capacitor (TCSC) and the Static Synchronous Series Compensator (SSSC). Devices such as the Thyristor Controlled Phase Shifting Transformer (TCPST), the Interline Power Flow Controller (IPFC), the Dynamic Flow Controller (DFC), and the Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC) belong to the category of combined FACTS controllers.
ISGAN Annex 6, Task 1-2 Discussion Paper Page 88 include offshore and onshore wind power plants/farms, PV power plants, concentrated solar power (CSP) plants.
Energy storage technologies may include pumped hydroelectric energy storage (PHES), compressed air energy storage (CAES), flywheel energy storage (FES), superconducting
magnetic energy storage (SMES), sodium-sulphur (Na-S) batteries, flow batteries, supercapacitors/ultracapacitors, and lithium (Li)-ion batteries.
Demand side technologies may include smart meters, efficient lighting, smart appliances, electric vehicles (EVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and ICT.
DSM can be considered as the application of a series of measures stimulating demand response and load peak shaving/shift.
The specific focus is on the future integration of the different technologies into the European power system and their behavioral characteristics, also in terms of improved flexibility and controllability.
Within the 2020, 2030, and 2050 time horizons, it is crucial to assess where, when, and to what extent innovative technologies could effectively contribute to the further development of the European transmission grid, also toward potential supergrid (electricity highways)
architectures [26], fostering the integration of an ever-increasing penetration of RES generation and boosting the creation of a pan-European electricity market, while maintaining a secure, competitive, and sustainable electricity supply.
Toward this aim, after the build-up of the 2020, 2030, and 2050 scenarios, the GridTech approach features a cost-benefit analysis of the implementation of the innovative technologies into the European electricity system. This requires the set-up of a consistent and tailor-made analysis methodology (based on technology cost, benefits, and reciprocal weighing) qualified to meet the objectives in the scenario analyses. In particular, for each target year and scenario, the methodology is based on the evaluation of the different benefits to the European power system provided by the innovative technologies comparing the case implementing the assessed technology with respect to a base case without it.
The verification of the cost-benefit analysis is based on technology cost calculation, on the one hand; on the other hand, it is based on sophisticated European electricity system modeling (top-down level) as well as target-country-specific case study analyses (bottom-up level. For the top-down level, a pan-European system analysis is carried out by modeling the whole European power system (EU30+ region) for the 2020, 2030 and 2050 time horizons. This is performed using a zonal approach.
For the bottom-up level, taking the outcomes of the pan-European analysis into account as boundary conditions, for 2020, 2030 and 2050 scenario timeframes, GridTech also focuses on seven target countries: Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Spain (see Figure 24). The analyses on these countries are based on grid detailed approaches. These countries, with their differences and strategies, can be representative of the existing and future European electricity systems. In fact, although large-scale RES integration significantly depends on the specific characteristics of the electricity system in each country (like mix and flexibility of power plant portfolio and transmission interconnection capacities to neighboring market zones), the fundamental challenges are common to the other European countries.
ISGAN Annex 6, Task 1-2 Discussion Paper Page 89
Figure 24. The seven target countries of GridTech analyses
A cost-benefit analysis related to the role of innovative grid-impacting technologies in the European system towards its further development is then carried out as a trade-off analysis based on different indicators (such as the net present value and the benefit-to-cost ratio).
The project is currently ongoing and is expected to contribute to:
Assess the non-technical barriers for transmission expansion and market compatible renewable electricity integration in Europe.
Develop a robust cost-benefit analysis methodology on investments in most suitable new technologies fostering large-scale renewable electricity and storage integration into the European transmission grid.
Apply and verify the cost-benefit methodology for investments in the European transmission grid on a national and continental level.
Achieve a common understanding among key target actors on best practice criteria for the implementation of new technologies fostering large-scale renewable
electricity and storage integration.
Deliver tailor-made recommendations and action plans, taking into account the legal, regulatory, and market framework.