Introduction to Hybrid Power Systems and Case Studies

Lunch

Lecture 1 (45 min.)
Introduction to Hybrid Power Systems & Hawaii Case Study
Dr. Thomas Ackermann, PhD (Energynautics, Germany)

Energynautics CEO Dr. Thomas Ackermann will provide an introduction to the world of hybrid power systems, focusing especially on small power systems on islands or in remote areas. This session intends to give an insight into the current state of small power systems, which are typically still mainly powered by diesel generators, and the challenges and opportunities of supplementing or replacing conventional generation with renewables in such systems.

Furthermore, he will present insights on the Hawaiian power system.

Discussion (15 min)

Lecture 2 (45 min.)
Towards a 100% Renewable Electricity Sector in the Faroe Islands: Expansion Planning and Stability Studies
Dr. Helma Maria Tróndheim, PhD (SEV, Faroe Islands)

The Faroe Islands have since 2014 been working towards the vision of 100% renewable electricity in 2030. In order to reach this goal, studies and plans are needed. In her PhD Helma Maria conducted an extensive study of the expansion planning and stability aspects of this ambition vision. This lecture will start with an explanation of the Faroese power system, then the methods applied to obtaining a RoadMap and the results of this will be explained. The power system stability studies of the green transition in the Faroe Islands will also be covered in this tutorial.

Discussion (15 min)

Short Break

Lecture 3 (45 min.)
Drivers & Barriers to Renewable Energy Integration in Indonesian Island Systems
Peter-Philipp Schierhorn (Energynautics, Germany)

Indonesia comprises more than 10,000 islands, and the Indonesian state utility PLN runs several hundred diesel-based small power systems to supply electricity to the majority of inhabited islands. The exorbitant cost of diesel generation has been a long time concern to PLN as well as the Indonesian government, and a shift towards renewable generation promises significant economic advantages on top of the obvious positive environmental impact. Hence, the Indonesian government recently started an ambitious „de-dieselization“ program, with the goal of replacing the majority of diesel-fired generation with PV and battery systems. This is contrasted by the fact that while PV integration in Indonesian islands has been economically feasible for a number of years, only very few hybrid systems operate in the country as of today. The lecture will cover technical, economic and regulatory aspects encountered during Energynautics‘ five year engagement in Indonesia, which involved integration studies in seven different island systems of different sizes.

Discussion (15 min)

Lecture 4 (45 min.) tbc // virtual presentation
Perspectives on First Generation Grid-forming BESS and The Alaskan Experience
Nicholas W Miller (HickoryLedge, USA)

The vast size and sparce population of the US State of Alaska have long presented a spectrum of reliability and economic challenges for electricity supply.   The long, thin backbone “Railbelt” power system connects and serves the state’s major population centers over vast distances.  Hundreds of electrical islands, including some physical islands, serve more remote communities.  Reliability considerations can have extreme human factors, with sustained outages being life-threatening in some communities that experience extreme cold and complete transportation isolation for extended periods. As with many island systems, liquid fossil fuels have high costs.  In some places, the handling and transport costs are extreme.  Today, these factors provide strong economic motivation to use renewable resources.  But even before the modern era of rapid VER growth, Alaska adopted a variety of cutting edge inverter-based technologies for economy and reliability.   Of particular interest now, multiple battery energy storage projects were built in the state in the 1990s.   This lecture will examine the history and motivations for some of the projects, and then delve into the particulars of the 1^st generation grid-forming inverters and controls used in the Metlakatla Power & Light BESS.   This project included many of the features that now, nearly 30 years later, are identified as crucial for success.

Discussion (15 min)

Closing