Background:
In order to support the
Irish Government's National Climate Action Plan, ESB Networks needs to develop
standard options to facilitate faster and optimised connection options for
renewable and customer connections to our network.
As part of the Irish
Government’s Climate Action Plan 2019, there are several targets within the electricity
sector that must be met by 2030 including “the development of up to 1.5 GW of
grid scale solar energy, an increase in onshore wind capacity of up to 8.2 GW”.
As the generation market in Ireland is moving towards low carbon renewables,
there has been a marked increase in smaller Independent Power Providers (IPPs)
looking for connections to the electricity network. A significant number of solar
connections are expected to come on-stream from 2021. As an IPP could have a
solar farm constructed in a much shorter timeframe than, for example, a
windfarm development, ESB Networks will have to deliver a Medium Voltage (MV -
20 or 10 kV) Embedded Generation Interface Protection (EGIP) Substation
connection in a considerably shorter timeframe than our current standard.
The aim of this project is
to support the renewable generation industry by facilitating a faster connection
of embedded generation to the Distribution System. ESB Networks has developed
an MV EGIP Standard Module solution that will allow for 1 to 20 MVA connection
to ESB Networks MV System (Note: Generation Connection load capacity is still
subject to system voltage present at connection node, local system capacity and
possible system reinforcement requirements upstream of connection). This
solution will remove the requirement to build a free standing MV block
building, which requires significant on-site construction, with a module that
can be factory built and then deployed to site thus allowing for faster
connection to the system.
Consultation Document:
To view the consultation document, please click on the link
below:
MV Customer Connection – MV EGIP Standard Module Substation | Download PDF | 739 KB
Consultation Question:
Introducing an alternative connection option for MV customers
requires significant stakeholder consultation, as such we would like
to get feedback from all stakeholders and welcome any comments
interested stakeholders may have on this proposal.
Next Steps:
The consultation period will close at 5pm on Friday
15th January 2021, please send your feedback to innovationfeedback@esbnetworks.ie
Please Note: To facilitate stakeholder feedback, in
conjunction with the consultation document, we will be hosting a public webinar
on Friday 11th December (12.00pm – 1.00pm), and a showcase of a standard module
build at ESB Networks’ National Training Centre in Portlaoise, Co. Laois in Q1 2021 (further
details to follow).
To register your interest in attending our webinar event and/or showcase
event, please email innovationfeedback@esbnetworks.ie, indicating which
event (webinar and/or showcase) you wish to attend.
Expressions
of interest to attend can be included in your feedback on the consultation
document.
In
light of the COVID-19 restrictions and safety procedures, attendance at the showcase
event at ESB Networks’ National Training Centre in Portlaoise, Co.Laois, Q1 2021 may
be limited.