Technology Choices for an Evolving Power System

Abstract

Electrification of processes and transition towards 100% renewable generation is considered instrumental for achievement of a low emission future and this can be fuelled by enabling technologies. New Zealand and Australia, like any other countries, are grappling with achieving this goal while transitioning from a legacy electrical network, with the constraints it imposes, by making incremental enhancements. The facilitating technologies; for instance power electronic converters and digital systems (which include a combination of control systems, distributed sensors, communication network and mathematical models) introduce the necessary flexibility and controllability within the power system [23-24]. There are a number of technology choices available so as to engineer an effective transition with scarce resources. This paper will analyse some of the alternative technologies and solutions considering the performance at the point of connection (including low inertia power systems), designing for efficiency and reliability [22-25]. The alternatives will include energy sources and storage; AC and DC transmission; aggregated and distributed controls.

Presented at the 2019 EEA conference