Between 2008 and 2014, the ESB received 28 applications on average each year for non-group processing approach grid connection. This is the type most often used for installations on farms. In 2015 alone, 376 such applications were received (for around 1,700MW of power), mostly towards the end of the year. Around 340 of these are applications for solar developments.
“The applications are by and large on the south coast,” said Ivan Codd, renewable planning manager at ESB Networks. “The current system cannot handle the volume of applications. They are being processed individually and sequentially.”
There are four broad categories of generation application to ESB Networks:
Zero MEC connections, which covers amendments to existing connection agreements.Micro-generation.Group-processing approach (GPA).Non-GPA.The group processing approach refers to large-scale wind farms. Small wind projects, hydro electricity, landfill gas, anaerobic digesters and solar projects, such as those often considered on farms, fall into the non-GPA bracket. These categories of generator application are pre-approved for processing. The non-GPA process was formalised in 2009 under a direction from the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER).
Waiting time
There are long lead times between offer issuances with the ESB’s current connection offer process. Applications received are assigned a node and enter a processing sequence at that node. The first application in sequence is studied and a connection offer issued. Following acceptance or lapsing of that offer, the next in sequence is studied.
Highest number of applications in Cork
Cork has sent in 61 solar applications, which is the highest number of applications from a single county; it is followed closely by Wexford with 49 and Tipperary with 20.
Speaking at the Energy Cork conference last Friday, Codd added that “capacity available is finite due to equipment installed and the amount already connected to the network. Some 2,037MW is in the contracted phase, the majority of which is from wind.”
A technical study is conducted as part of the application process to determine availability of capacity; the associated charge is borne by the energy generator.
Out of the 1,540MW of renewable generation connections, 1,380MW are from wind energy. A further 2,037MW of renewable energy has already been contracted, 90% of which is from wind.
A CER-led consultation is in the process of reviewing connection and grid access policy. It closes for submissions on 5 February 2016.
Over the next four years, Ireland has to deliver on 46% of its renewable energy targets, John Mullins told the conference.
“It has taken 25 years to get halfway towards our renewable energy targets for 2020,” said Mullins, chief executive of Amarenco and previously of Bord Gáis. “The future of the ESB is fundamentally around growing its distribution base. So, public equity should now start to look at the fabric of that distribution base because this is not something of the future. This is something of the present and of the past.”
The Government’s energy white paper, published in December 2015, said that bioenergy, solar and offshore energy will become an increasing part of the energy source mix as they become more cost-effective. This has been reflected by the number of applications received by the ESB to supply solar energy to the national grid.
Irish renewable targets:
Renewables contribution to gross electricity consumption: 40% by 2020.Renewables (biofuels and the renewable portion of electricity) contribution to transport energy: 10% by 2020.Renewable contribution to heat (thermal requirement – heating and cooling): 12% by 2020. More reports on solar from Energy Cork coming up this Wednesday and Thursday at www.farmersjournal.ie
Between 2008 and 2014, the ESB received 28 applications on average each year for non-group processing approach grid connection. This is the type most often used for installations on farms. In 2015 alone, 376 such applications were received (for around 1,700MW of power), mostly towards the end of the year. Around 340 of these are applications for solar developments.
“The applications are by and large on the south coast,” said Ivan Codd, renewable planning manager at ESB Networks. “The current system cannot handle the volume of applications. They are being processed individually and sequentially.”
There are four broad categories of generation application to ESB Networks:
Zero MEC connections, which covers amendments to existing connection agreements.Micro-generation.Group-processing approach (GPA).Non-GPA.The group processing approach refers to large-scale wind farms. Small wind projects, hydro electricity, landfill gas, anaerobic digesters and solar projects, such as those often considered on farms, fall into the non-GPA bracket. These categories of generator application are pre-approved for processing. The non-GPA process was formalised in 2009 under a direction from the Commission for Energy Regulation (CER).
Waiting time
There are long lead times between offer issuances with the ESB’s current connection offer process. Applications received are assigned a node and enter a processing sequence at that node. The first application in sequence is studied and a connection offer issued. Following acceptance or lapsing of that offer, the next in sequence is studied.
Highest number of applications in Cork
Cork has sent in 61 solar applications, which is the highest number of applications from a single county; it is followed closely by Wexford with 49 and Tipperary with 20.
Speaking at the Energy Cork conference last Friday, Codd added that “capacity available is finite due to equipment installed and the amount already connected to the network. Some 2,037MW is in the contracted phase, the majority of which is from wind.”
A technical study is conducted as part of the application process to determine availability of capacity; the associated charge is borne by the energy generator.
Out of the 1,540MW of renewable generation connections, 1,380MW are from wind energy. A further 2,037MW of renewable energy has already been contracted, 90% of which is from wind.
A CER-led consultation is in the process of reviewing connection and grid access policy. It closes for submissions on 5 February 2016.
Over the next four years, Ireland has to deliver on 46% of its renewable energy targets, John Mullins told the conference.
“It has taken 25 years to get halfway towards our renewable energy targets for 2020,” said Mullins, chief executive of Amarenco and previously of Bord Gáis. “The future of the ESB is fundamentally around growing its distribution base. So, public equity should now start to look at the fabric of that distribution base because this is not something of the future. This is something of the present and of the past.”
The Government’s energy white paper, published in December 2015, said that bioenergy, solar and offshore energy will become an increasing part of the energy source mix as they become more cost-effective. This has been reflected by the number of applications received by the ESB to supply solar energy to the national grid.
Irish renewable targets:
Renewables contribution to gross electricity consumption: 40% by 2020.Renewables (biofuels and the renewable portion of electricity) contribution to transport energy: 10% by 2020.Renewable contribution to heat (thermal requirement – heating and cooling): 12% by 2020. More reports on solar from Energy Cork coming up this Wednesday and Thursday at www.farmersjournal.ie
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