Solar photovoltaic (PV) is the fastest-growing energy resource. The price of energy generation from residential PV has dropped from $0.50 to $0.10 per kWh in the past decade. One challenge with this resource is that the amount of power available depends on the solar irradiance and temperature. Abrupt changes in solar irradiance can cause disturbances to the hosting electricity network and lead to voltage and frequency oscillations. The impact is more severe in a weak grid with high penetration of such resources. Evolving grid interconnection standards are imposing requirements to limit the impacts of these disturbances on the grid. Battery energy storage (BES) technology has also experienced a significant price drop (e.g., from $1100 to $156 per kWh for lithium-ion batteries) in the past decade. Therefore, complementary PV+BES solutions are increasingly considered. A BES of sufficient capacity equipped with appropriate controls can respond to both abrupt and long-term PV power variations. Properly formulating the problem and developing efficient control systems is crucial. These define the scope and objective of this research. This research develops two BES solutions. In the first one, the BES is co-located with the PV and connects to its dc output terminals. The BES controller ensures that the PV+BES system exhibits a desirable power ramp rate set by the user. In the second solution, the BES is not co-located with the PV. It detects the disturbances from their signatures on its locally measured signals and takes proper actions. An approach based on capacitor emulation combined with a droop mechanism is developed and optimally designed to provide dynamic and static supports. The BES can respond to the disturbances from more than one PV system and non-PV sources, such as load disturbances. The dissertation presents detailed modeling and control of the BES system. Optimal control techniques are developed to ensure robust and fast responses. For the simulation study, the proposed BES systems are implemented in a hybrid dc/ac study system and the effect on both dc and ac subsystems are investigated. The real-time results obtained by implementing the proposed controllers on laboratory-scale hardware prototypes are also presented.

Due to the vast fossil fuel wealth, the country of Saudi Arabia is experiencing a dramatic growth in both population and GDP. Therefore there is a growing demand for water and energy to meet these needs. All of the electricity that is generated is sourced from crude oil and natural gas. All natural gas production is used domestically and there are no net imports or exports. Due to many constrains on the natural gas supply, there is a slow shift in the generation mix going towards crude oil based power generation. This study assessed the viability of utility scale solar integration into the Saudi Arabian electric mix to potentially relieve some demand pressure for natural gas consumption as well as reduce green house gas emissions. Parabolic trough concentrated solar power technology was chosen as the primary technology for utility scale integration. A total of five scenarios were calculated. The scenarios include the following, base case, 5%, 10%, 15%, 20% solar integration in terms of installed capacity. Two sets of net present values were calculated. The net present values of each scenario were calculated. A second set of net present values was calculated with a projected increase in electricity prices. The natural gas and crude oil offset from the four solar integration scenarios were calculated using the base case forecasted natural gas and crude oil consumption from power generation. As expected, natural gas and crude oil consumption decreased when there was an increase in solar integration. The expected carbon dioxide offsets were calculated for each scenario. There was a decrease in carbon dioxide emission as solar integration was increased. Finally, all of these analyses were used as criteria for a decision analysis using the analytical hierarchy process. Depending on the decision maker’s importance on the determined criteria, solar integration in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is achievable. / text

The United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) of Agenda 2030 calls for an increase in the use of renewable energy sources, among other targets. The percentage of fossil fuel-fired thermal generation for electricity is increasingly being reduced as renewable energy technologies (RET) advance in cost-competitiveness, and as greenhouse gas and industrial air pollutant emission limits become more stringent. In certain cases, renewable energy contributes to energy security by improving a nation’s trade balance, since local resources are harnessed and imports are reduced. RET investments are becoming more frequent gaining a sizeable share in the electric power mix of numerous countries. However, RET is affected by existing fossil fuel-fired electricity generation, especially in countries that have domestic reserves. While coal may be dirty, others such as natural gas provide multiple benefits, presenting a challenge to renewables. Additionally, RET endowment varies for each geographical location. This often does not correspond to the location of major electricity demand centers.  Therefore, large scale RET adoption and integration becomes logistically more cumbersome, as it necessitates existence of a developed grid network. Utilizing a series of analyses in two different settings – Africa and Cyprus – this thesis draws insights on RET growth policy and the level of technology representation in long term energy models. In order to capture specific challenges of RET integration, enhancements in traditional long-term energy system models are called for and carried out.  The case of Africa is used to assess adoption of RET under various trade scenarios. It is home to some of the world’s greatest RET resource potential and the single largest potential RET project, Grand Inga.  While, the island of Cyprus has goals of introducing large percentages of RET into its electric power mix. Each have important idiosyncrasies which are reflected in the analysis. On the one hand, natural gas competes with RET in Cyprus and forms a key transition fuel away from oil. On the other hand, lack of cross-border interconnectors limit RET project development across Africa. / <p>QC 20170519</p>

[pt] O principal objetivo desse trabalho é avaliar os desdobramentos do desenvolvimento institucional sobre a integração energética da América do Sul. Sendo assim, e após o debate acerca das teorias neofuncionalistas, das teorias intergovernamentalistas e das teorias da governança multi-nível, bem como suas contribuições para o desenvolvimento institucional da integração energética, propõe-se uma ampliação do conceito de cooperação e segurança energéticas, avançando na lógica da infraestrutura física demandada para a criação de determinados empreendimentos, uma vez que a literatura atual foca demasiadamente na questão do petróleo e de seus derivados. Apresenta-se, ainda, dados acerca da atual infraestrutura física do subcontinente sul-americano. Ademais, discute-se os benefícios e os entraves à promoção da integração energética regional, que tem, em maior ou menor grau, relação com o arcabouço institucional relativo ao tema na América do Sul. / [en] The main objective of this work is to evaluate the consequences of institutional development on energy integration in South America. So, after discussions of neofunctionalist theories, intergovernmentalists theories and theories of multi-level governance and their contributions to the development institutional energy integration, we propose an extension of the concept of cooperation and energy security, advancing the logic of demanded physical infrastructure for the creation of certain projects since the current literature focuses excessively on the issue of oil and its derivatives. We also present data about the current physical infrastructure of the South American subcontinent. Furthermore, we discuss the benefits and barriers to the promotion of regional energy integration, which has a greater or lesser degree relation with the institutional framework relating to the theme in South America.

Os recursos energéticos naturais não estão distribuídos uniformemente pelo globo terrestre, e são raros os países que os têm na quantidade e na qualidade que necessitam para atender as suas necessidades. Ante a essa realidade, o comércio de energéticos tem sido a forma principal de acesso dos países que não os dispõem em relação as suas necessidades. Esse comércio, que muitas vezes é regido por tratados ou acordos firmados entre países ou blocos econômicos regionais, diversificou-se, traspassou fronteiras e, atualmente, tornou-se um item significativo nas pautas de exportações de vários países. A evolução desse comércio tem a favor a alternativa de integração por meio de interconexões estratégicas de redes e da constituição de mercados comuns, que viabilizam a exploração do potencial de complementariedade energética de forma mais racional. Diante desse contexto, esta dissertação apresenta um estudo exploratório que avalia o estado da arte da integração energética sul-americana e faz análises dos modelos técnicos, das regulamentações, das regulações regionais e multilaterais estabelecidas pelos blocos econômicos sul-americanos e pela Organização Mundial do Comércio. De forma complementar, o estudo verifica e apresenta os fatores que podem comprometer o avanço e a instituição de um futuro mercado comum de energia no continente, conclui pela viabilidade do prosseguimento de ações em prol da ampliação da integração da indústria de energia elétrica na América do Sul e tece recomendações. Os resultados e as recomendações deste trabalho oferecem um embasamento procedimental para a gestão e a atuação institucional dos envolvidos no processo de integração energética da indústria de energia elétrica da região sul americana. / Natural energy resources are not evenly distributed across the globe and few countries have them in quantity and quality they require to meet their needs. According to this reality, countries that do not have those resources use the energy trade as the main way to have access them in order to fulfill their needs. This trade, which is often governed by treaties or agreements between countries or regional economic blocs, has diversified, surpassed borders and today has become a significant item on the agendas of exports from several countries. This trade evolution is in favor of the alternative of integration through strategic interconnection of networks and the creation of common markets, which enables the exploitation of the energy potential complementarity in a more rational way. In this context, this paper presents an exploratory study that assesses the state of the art of the South American energy integration and analyzes technical models, regulations, regional and multilateral regulations established by the South American economic blocs and the World Trade Organization. In addition, the study verifies and displays the factors that can undermine the progress and the establishment of a future common energy market in the continent and completes the feasibility of further actions towards the expansion of the power industry integration in South America and gives recommendations. The results and recommendations of this study offer a procedural basis for management and institutional performance of the energy involved entities in the integration process of the power industry of the South American region.

Os recursos energéticos naturais não estão distribuídos uniformemente pelo globo terrestre, e são raros os países que os têm na quantidade e na qualidade que necessitam para atender as suas necessidades. Ante a essa realidade, o comércio de energéticos tem sido a forma principal de acesso dos países que não os dispõem em relação as suas necessidades. Esse comércio, que muitas vezes é regido por tratados ou acordos firmados entre países ou blocos econômicos regionais, diversificou-se, traspassou fronteiras e, atualmente, tornou-se um item significativo nas pautas de exportações de vários países. A evolução desse comércio tem a favor a alternativa de integração por meio de interconexões estratégicas de redes e da constituição de mercados comuns, que viabilizam a exploração do potencial de complementariedade energética de forma mais racional. Diante desse contexto, esta dissertação apresenta um estudo exploratório que avalia o estado da arte da integração energética sul-americana e faz análises dos modelos técnicos, das regulamentações, das regulações regionais e multilaterais estabelecidas pelos blocos econômicos sul-americanos e pela Organização Mundial do Comércio. De forma complementar, o estudo verifica e apresenta os fatores que podem comprometer o avanço e a instituição de um futuro mercado comum de energia no continente, conclui pela viabilidade do prosseguimento de ações em prol da ampliação da integração da indústria de energia elétrica na América do Sul e tece recomendações. Os resultados e as recomendações deste trabalho oferecem um embasamento procedimental para a gestão e a atuação institucional dos envolvidos no processo de integração energética da indústria de energia elétrica da região sul americana. / Natural energy resources are not evenly distributed across the globe and few countries have them in quantity and quality they require to meet their needs. According to this reality, countries that do not have those resources use the energy trade as the main way to have access them in order to fulfill their needs. This trade, which is often governed by treaties or agreements between countries or regional economic blocs, has diversified, surpassed borders and today has become a significant item on the agendas of exports from several countries. This trade evolution is in favor of the alternative of integration through strategic interconnection of networks and the creation of common markets, which enables the exploitation of the energy potential complementarity in a more rational way. In this context, this paper presents an exploratory study that assesses the state of the art of the South American energy integration and analyzes technical models, regulations, regional and multilateral regulations established by the South American economic blocs and the World Trade Organization. In addition, the study verifies and displays the factors that can undermine the progress and the establishment of a future common energy market in the continent and completes the feasibility of further actions towards the expansion of the power industry integration in South America and gives recommendations. The results and recommendations of this study offer a procedural basis for management and institutional performance of the energy involved entities in the integration process of the power industry of the South American region.

Made available in DSpace on 2017-07-10T17:11:45Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 DISSERTACAO VANESSAVIQUETTI LOWENBERG.pdf: 2250957 bytes, checksum: 81895e5a2a510f6aea4627b4b6c0d230 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-04-12 / Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior / This work considers the connection of wind power units to the distribution system, aiming at verifying the maximum power limits that can be connected complying with given connection requirements. The maximum power limits have been characterized in terms of maximum integration levels, to the equivalent capacity in the connection node, and in terms of maximum penetration levels, to the full load power feeder. The steady-state voltage in the distribution system nodes has to comply with a priori given maximum variation limits for all possible wind farm working conditions, supplying from 20 to 100% of its nominal power. The research has been developed in two different distribution feeders: a 5-nodes distribution feeder, connecting the wind farm at four different points and considering three different load levels; a 32-nodes distribution feeder, connecting the wind farm to ten different nodes of the system and also considering three different load levels. The maximum integration and penetration levels of wind power have been evaluated in terms of (i) the connection node characteristics (equivalent X/R ratio impedance and voltage); (ii) the feeder load; (iii) the connection node. The connection of either one or two wind farms has been considered for both feeders, assuming wind farms with equal characteristics. The analysis showed strong influence of the impedance X/R ratio on the maximum wind energy integration and penetration levels. The feeder load influences these levels in a non-linear manner and in some cases also an in inverse way, i.e. the load increasing can either increase or decrease the maximum integration level. The equivalent voltage influence on the maximum wind power integration and penetration was not evident in the performed tests. The feeder structure did influence the levels since, in many cases, the maximum integration and penetration levels of wind power have not been determined by the voltage in the connection node but by the voltage in other feeder s node. In general, the connection of two wind farms showed higher wind energy penetration levels compared to only one wind farm, being more or less expressive according to the connecting node characteristics. / Este trabalho se insere no contexto do estudo da conexão de unidades de geração eólica em sistemas de distribuição no sentido de verificar quais os limites máximos de potência que po- dem ser interligados atendendo a determinados requisitos de conexão. Os limites máximos de potência são caracterizados em termos dos níveis máximos de inserção de geração eólica, relativos à capacidade equivalente vista pelo nó de conexão, e da máxima penetração de geração eólica, relativos à carga instalada no alimentador. Exige-se que a tensão de regime permanente nos nós do alimentador de distribuição atenda a limites máximos pré-estabelecidos de variação para todas as condições operativas possíveis do parque eólico produzindo desde 20% até 100% de sua potência nominal. O estudo foi realizado através de simulação computacional sobre dois alimentadores de distribuição diferentes: um alimentador com 5 nós, conectando o parque eólico em quatro diferentes pontos deste sistema e considerando três níveis diferentes de carregamento; e um alimentador com 32 nós, conectando o parque eólico em dez diferentes pontos deste sistema e considerando também três níveis diferentes de carregamento. Os níveis máximos de inserção e penetração de geração eólica foram analisados em função: (i) das características do nó de conexão (relação X/R da impedância e tensão equivalentes); (ii) do carregamento do alimentador; (iii) do nó de conexão. Para os dois alimentadores foram considerados os casos da conexão de um e de dois parques eólicos, sendo que em todos os casos foram adotados parques eólicos idênticos. As análises realizadas mostraram grande influência da relação X/R da impedância equivalente tanto sobre a inserção quanto a penetração de geração eólica. O carregamento do alimentador influenciou de maneira não linear e também em alguns casos de maneira inversa, significando que o aumento do carregamento pode tanto aumentar quanto reduzir a máxima inserção de geração eólica. A influência da tensão equivalente sobre a inserção e penetração de geração eólica não mostrou-se muito evidente nos testes realizados. A topologia do alimentador teve influência, pois em diversos casos os limites má- ximos de inserção e penetração de geração eólica foram determinados pela tensão em nós do alimentador distintos do nó de conexão do parque. De maneira geral, a conexão de dois parques eólicos mostrou atingir níveis superiores de penetração de geração eólica em comparação a um só parque, podendo ser mais ou menos expressiva conforme a característica dos nós de conexão envolvidos.

Lo scopo di questo lavoro è di cercar di trovare una risposta alla seguente domanda: Tenendo conto della attuale situazione del Mercosur e la dinamica del suo sviluppo, quanto sarebbe benefico e/o fattibile il raggiungimento di una maggiore intesa in materia energetica, che potenzialmente potrebbe portare all'integrazione dei mercati energetici della sub-regione? Questi interrogativi conducono dunque all'analisi dell'interrelazione attuale e/o potenziale tra il processo d'integrazione regionale conosciuto come Mercosur e quello d'integrazione dei mercati energetici nella sub-regione. Inoltre, quest'analisi consentirà di verificare se il raggiungimento di una possibile intesa in materia energetica possa scatenare un spill-over positivo, rafforzando il processo attuale dell'integrazione regionale coadiuvando lo sviluppo in altre aree. Dall'analisi su queste tematiche emerge l'idea che sarebbe il settore energetico ad avere la possibilità di alterare la presente natura del Mercosur, non solo per il fatto ovvio che l'energia è ancora un settore dove ancora non si è sviluppato un accordo sub-regionale vincolante, ma anche per la possibilità che il raggiungimento di un tale accordo si ripercuota sulle aree adiacenti del settore energetico, incidendo sui cosiddetti functional linkages, che porterebbe al bisogno d'integrazione su altre aree e settori legati all'energia, dando nuovo impulso per approfondire il processo d'integrazione regionale. / This research is aimed at finding an accurate answer to the following question: Considering Mercosur's current situation and the dynamics of its development, how beneficial and/or possible is the fulfilment of an accord in the energetic field, which would probably mean sub-regional energy markets integration? This question leads us to the study of current and/or potential interrelation between the regional integration process known as Mercosur and sub-regional energy markets integration. Moreover, the above mentioned analysis will allow us to prove whether an accord in the energetic field might unleash a positive spill-over, strengthening the current regional integration process while assisting other areas of it. The analysis of these issues emerges the idea that it will be the energy sector the one that may alter Mercosur's current nature. Not only is it possible because of the obvious thing that energy is a sector where there's no binding accord in a sub-regional field, but also because of the possibility that the fulfilment of this accord may impact on the adjacent areas of the energy sector, influencing the well know functional linkages. In this way, it will emerge the need of integrating other areas and sector linked to the energy sector, giving a new momentum to deepen the regional integration process.

Rising energy demand, fossil fuel costs, and greenhouse gas emissions have led to a growing interest in renewable energy integration. Remote communities, often accompanied by high energy costs and abundant renewable energy resources, are ideal cases for renewable energy integration. The Queen Charlotte Islands, also known as Haida Gwaii, are a remote archipelago off the northwest coast of British Columbia, Canada that relies heavily on diesel fuel for energy generation. An investigation is done into the potential for electricity generation using both tidal stream and wave energy in Haida Gwaii. A mixed integer optimization network model is developed in a Matlab and GAMS software environment, subject to set of system constraints including minimum operational levels and transmission capacities. The unit commitment and economic dispatch decisions are dynamically solved for four periods of 336 hours, representing the four annual seasons. Optimization results are used to develop an operational strategy simulation model, indicative of realistic operator behaviour. Results from both models find that the tidal stream energy resource in Haida Gwaii has a larger potential to reduce energy costs than wave energy; however, tidal steam energy is more difficult to integrate from a system operation point of view and, in the absence of storage, would only be practical at power penetration levels less than 20%.

This thesis presents a residential thermostat that enables accurate aggregate load control systems for electricity demand response. The thermostat features a control strategy that can be modeled as a linear time-invariant system for short-term demand response signals from the utility. This control design gives rise to linear time-invariant models of aggregate load control and demand response, which is expected to facilitate the design of more accurate load-based regulation services for electricity interconnections and enable integration of more highly variable renewable electricity generation resources. A key feature of the new thermostat design is the elimination of aggregate short-term load control error observed with existing real-time pricing thermostats as they respond to price signals. / Graduate / 0548 / 0791 / 0544 / dchassin@uvic.ca