The Role of Low-Load Diesel in Improved Renewable Hosting Capacity within Isolated Power Systems

James Hamilton, Michael Negnevitsky, Xiaolin Wang and Evgenii Semshchikov
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James Hamilton: Centre for Renewable Energy and Power Systems, School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia
Michael Negnevitsky: Centre for Renewable Energy and Power Systems, School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia
Xiaolin Wang: Centre for Renewable Energy and Power Systems, School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia
Evgenii Semshchikov: Centre for Renewable Energy and Power Systems, School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart 7000, Australia

Energies, 2020, vol. 13, issue 16, 1-15

Abstract: Isolated communities are progressively integrating renewable generation to reduce the societal, economic and ecological cost of diesel generation. Unfortunately, as renewable penetration and load variability increase, systems require greater diesel generation reserves, constraining renewable utilisation. Improved diesel generator flexibility can reduce the requirement for diesel reserves, allowing increased renewable hosting. Regrettably, it is uncommon for utilities to modify diesel generator control during the integration of renewable source generation. Identifying diesel generator flexibility and co-ordination as an essential component to optimising system hosting capacity, this paper investigates improved diesel generator flexibility and coordination via low-load diesel application. Case study comparisons for both high- and low-penetration hybrid diesel power systems are presented in King Island, Australia, and Moloka`i, Hawai`i, respectively. For King Island, the approach details a 50% reduction in storage requirement, while for Moloka`i the application supports a 27% increase in renewable hosting capacity.

Keywords: battery storage; hybrid power system; low-load diesel; microgrid; remote area (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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