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As a result of governmental climate and renewable energy policies, a fundamental shift towards more sustainable production is taking place in electricity supply systems worldwide. Today's power systems are designed and built around a relatively small number of large power plants which mainly operate on fossil fuels. One of the key characteristics of renewable energy sources (RES) is their wide spatial distribution, feeding in power at many points in the network at any one time. In addition, the supply of electrical power from sources such as wind and solar energy varies over time.
Both of these aspects require transmission grids and distribution systems to be designed and operated in a new way. In addition, modern market designs need to include short gate closure times or marketplaces for balancing power. Cost-efficient integration of climate-friendly power sources necessitates a reconsideration of the whole power system, taking a systemic approach; merely analyzing individual components is clearly inadequate. The technical, economic and regulatory framework needs to be designed in such a way that the system can be efficiently planned and operated so that customers can receive a secure, environmentally sound, economic supply of electricity.
System integration of RES is presenting the whole of the power industry with new challenges. Power generation companies, operators of transport and distribution systems, project developers, energy traders, policy makers and regulators will all be facing the need for innovation in energy systems.
Why Ecofys?
At Ecofys we have a unique combination of interdisciplinary and in-depth expertise in grid codes and regulatory frameworks in many countries, in power markets, and in the innovative technologies being used to design new electricity infrastructures. We work for a broad range of clients, including governments, regulators, grid operators, project developers, electricity traders and politicians.
Our integrated expertise transcends conventional approaches that focus on technological aspects alone. A systemic approach is required because RES are integrated in three areas that are strongly interrelated. Our ability to cover the linkages between these areas and to understand and communicate in terms that make sense to all disciplines is one of the main types of added value we offer to clients.
Our services in these areas
Policy & strategy – services for governments and regulators
- Designing, implementing and evaluating policies for the secure and cost-effective integration of RES into power systems and markets
- Creating scenarios and development paths and estimating the costs of network integration of renewable energies, including e.g. large-scale studies for the optimized connection of offshore wind farms
- Preparing, moderating and documenting industry consultations
- Institutional capacity building and introducing non-technical decision makers to the key issues of power systems and grid integration of RES-E (electricity from renewable energy resources).
Innovative technologies in power systems – services for governments, regulators and grid operators
- Overview of technology trends, e. g. high-temperature conductors for overhead transmission lines
- Unbiased, project-specific assessment of the comparative merits of different technologies, e. g. overhead transmission lines versus underground cables
- Transition strategies for moving towards smart grids, e. g. effective implementing of demand side management
Technical integration of power systems – services for grid operators
Integration into power markets – services for governments, regulators and electricity traders
- Assessing and designing power markets in order to improve the market integration of RES
- Modelling and evaluating complete power systems and power markets
- Designing and implementing commercial concepts and products for electricity traders (e. g. wind power prediction)
Connection to power systems – services for project developers
- Preliminary and detailed grid connection studies for RES projects of all sizes, optimal selection of the Point of Common Coupling (PCC)
- Grid Code assessment in European member states and OECD countries for the connection of RES to transmission and distribution systems.
- Carrying out due diligence for RES projects with respect to compliance with grid operator’s grid codes, technical requirements and standards
- Designing electric infrastructure for onshore projects, e. g. wind farms and photovoltaic power plants
Isolated Sustainable Power Systems – services for electricity companies
- Technical design of isolated sustainable power systems, including off-grid solutions based on RES
- Concepts for decentralized hybrid systems (smart grids) and storage systems
- Assessing the adequacy and reliability of the systems.
For more information, please contact us: psm-services@ecofys.com
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