21 years of wind generation experience : Curacao Netherlands

21 years of Wind generation
Experience
Curacao Netherlands Antilles.
Presented by
Mr. ir. Irvin Hanst
Manager Corporate Affairs
Legal structure of the corporation
StIP/EGC
Holder of 100%
Common stock
100%
ommon
Stock
Production
Mirant
Holder of 100%
Preferred stock
100%
Common
Stock
Distribution
100%
Common
Stock
Multi Utility
49%
Common
Stock
CUC
Holdings
B.O.O
Responsibilities Aqualectra
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100% water production
100% water distribution
90% electric power generation
100% electric power distribution
Characteristics electrical system
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66 kV transmission system (100% underground cables)
30 kV sub-transmission system (100% underground cables)
12 kV distribution system (75% underground cables)
220/127V, 50 Hz and 380/220V, 50Hz LV system (50%
underground cables)
Peak electric load Curacao is 105 MW
Total generation capacity Aqualectra is 165 MW
75 MW steam units and 90 MW diesel units
10 years ago 100 MW steam units and 35 MW diesel units
Characteristics continued
• All power generation on transmission & sub
transmission level
• Less then 1% of energy losses in transmission & sub
transmission level
• Less then 2% of energy losses in distribution system
• Almost 9% of energy losses in LV system
History wind generation Curacao
• Renewable energy is part of our business plan
since the 1970’s
• Resulted in contract agreement in 1984 for the
first wind generator for Curacao at Tera Kora.
• Wind generator was a 300 kW NEWECS-25
of manufactory FDO-Stork
• Type was fixed speed induction generator with
stall
• This first wind generator became operational
in October 1985
Experience first wind generator
• First wind generator tripped frequently on over
speed
• Brakes suffered excessive wearing
• Major breakdown due to braking system of
wind generator
• Extensive wind measurement and wind study
Results study
• Wind in Curacao comes 95% of the time from the
same direction between NE and SE
• Wind speed is almost constant year around
• Average wind speed at 30 m is 8 - 9 m/s
• Weibull shape factor between 4 and 5
• Best sites Tera Cora and Playa Kanoa
• First wind generator was designed taking into account
a wind speed of 6.5 m/s measured at 10 m, based on
30 years wind measurement done by the metrological
service of Curacao
First wind park on Curacao
• New wind farm consisting of 12 x 250 kW wind
generators (Manufactory Nedwind) was installed at
Tera Kora
• Type fixed speed with stall optimized for wind of 8.5
m/s
• Shaft height 30 m
• Rotor diameter 25 m
• Became operational in 1993
• Capacity factor 34%
• Availability 90%
Tera Kora wind farm
Continued
Additional studies in 1995
• Additional wind measurements and study for 50m
height
• Study to determine fluctuations in power output of
first wind farm
• Grid study to determine influence of first wind farm
on the system frequency and voltage
• Grid study to determine maximum penetration level of
wind generation for the Aqualectra system
Results additional studies
• Average wind speed at 50 m is 9.5 m/s
• Wind fluctuations impact power output of the
individual wind generators
• The wind fluctuations have little or no impact on the
power output of the wind farm
• Since power output of wind farm is constant, this
cause little or no fluctuations in the system frequency
and voltage
• Care shall be taken of the reactive power consumption
of the wind farm
• Maximum penetration level of wind generation is 12%
Second wind farm owned by IPP
• Wind farm consisting of 18 x 500 kW wind generators
(Manufactory Nedwind) was installed at Playa Kanoa
• Type fixed speed with active stall optimized for wind
speeds between 9 and 12 m/s
• Shaft height 47.2 m
• Rotor diameter 46.1 m
• Became operational in 2000
• Average wind speed 9.2 m/s
• Capacity factor 58.3%
• Availability 96%
Experiences second wind farm
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Relatively high consumption of reactive power
In beginning trip on frequency deviations
In beginning trip on voltage fluctuations
In beginning trip on all faults in the electrical system
• After fine tuning these problems were solved and wind
generators only trip when the deviations exceed the set
values, which is hardly never.
• The wind farm even withstand most of the faults in the
electrical system.
Dilemma
• According to our utility plan the idea is to reach
approximately 50% penetration level with wind energy
by the year 2020.
• Study implemented in 1995 shows maximum
penetration level of 12% due to reactive power
consumption of induction type wind generators with
stall or active stall.
• First wind farm is reaching 15 years which was its
technical lifetime ( ROI reached after 9 years)
• Increasing fuel prices make wind energy very
attractive option to stabilize costs.
How to proceed?
• Aqualectra is preparing a grid connection standard for
Independent Power producers including Wind farms.
Standard shall at least include:
• Voltage ride through requirements;
• Voltage control and reactive power capabilities;
• Off nominal frequency operating requirements;
• Power quality, harmonic and resonance issues;
• Monitoring requirements;
• Commissioning tests.
Expectations wind energy
• New wind generator designs like: Doubly fed
induction generators or Full converter types are
promising.
• They seem able to fulfill the requirements of the grid
connection standard we are preparing.
• This is being investigated and we expect the results by
mid 2007.
• This study shall also comment on the impact of the
new generation of wind farms on the maximum
penetration level of wind power in the Aqualectra
system.
Continued
• If the results of the studies are positive the first wind
farm of Aqualectra will be replaced by a new one
before 2010.
• Probably 12 x 1 MW generators instead of 12 x 0.25
MW.
• The site has space for approximately 25 wind
generators.
• The experience with this new wind farm will show if it
is feasible to upgrade the Playa Kanoa wind farm from
18 x 0.5 MW to 18 x 1 MW units or bigger.
Conclusions
• Wind power is very attractive option for Aqualectra
• Grid connection standards must be in place to prevent
future problems with reactive power consumption and
frequency fluctuations.
• With stall and active stall induction generators the
penetration level for wind power in Curacao is limited
to 12% which was already reached in 2000.
• Doubly fed induction generators and Full converter
wind generators promise to solve actual problems
Aqualectra encountered with wind power
• Hopefully this can increase the maximum penetration
level of wind power in Curacao up to at least 50%
Questions?
Thank you very much