Connecting to the Grid Alberta s New Micro-Generation Regulations

Transcription

1 5.6 kw solar electricity generating plant on the Riverdale NetZero energy house in Edmonton 10 kw microwind electricity generating plant near Onoway Connecting to the Grid Alberta s New Micro-Generation Regulations Transmission Operating Advisory Committee Enoch, Alberta 2008 November 20 Gordon Howell, P.Eng. [email protected] (download this presentation from Solar Energy Development Specialists 1

2 Firstly I want to acknowledge that we meet on the traditional lands of the Enoch Cree people and that I respect their spiritual relationship with their country. As per the introductory comments in every speech of Hon. Mike Rann, Premier of South Australia Solar Energy Development Specialists 2

3 Intro: My Goals To empower you to be ready for the energy and environmental issues coming upon us To help you understand the steps to get regulatory approval to connect a micropower system to the electrical distribution grid Every revolution is about power! Solar Energy Development Specialists 3

4 Intro: Howell-Mayhew Engineering We are solar system project developers We are not equipment suppliers We have no vested interest in any technology Our interest is that you choose wisely with your eyes wide open based on the facts and whether it is right for you or not. The Earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi but not every man's greed. (Mahatma) India Solar Energy Development Specialists 4

5 Intro: What the Presentation Does Gives you familiarity with the process of connecting to the grid? Gives you space to ask questions and get answers right away Helps you understand how to get started 3 kw solar electric generating system Vuntut Gwitchin National Park Old Crow, Yukon Treat the Earth well. It was not given to you by your parents. It was loaned to you by your children. Solar Energy Development Specialists 5 Kenyan Proverb

6 Many People Want to Go Off-Grid (Grids function well and serve society when they are based on trust.) Flowing along the Grid Electricity grid fuel source, generators, electricity transmission lines, transmission towers, substations, electricity distribution lines, transformers, electric devices and appliances, heat, atmosphere, outer space Natural gas grid gas reservoirs, gas wells, gas collection pipelines, gas processing plants, gas storage caverns, gas distribution pipelines, homes, gas appliances, heat, atmosphere, outer space Water grid river, water, pollution, water intake, water purification plant, water reservoirs, pumps, water distribution lines, water appliances, sewer lines, sewage purification plants, sewage discharge, river Oil grid oil reservoirs, oil wells, oil collection pipelines, refineries, gasoline, fuel trucks, gas stations, gas tanks, car engines, heat, atmosphere, outer space Transportation grid sidewalks, driveways, cars, trucks, busses, streets, bridges, highways, airports, planes, harbours, ships, trains, rail lines Communication grid letters, mail, newspapers, magazines, bookstores, telephone, fax, semaphore, networks, coffee shops, , internet Food grid seeds & baby animals, fields & pastures, farms, roads, processing plants, trucking companies, grocery stores, kitchens, meals, mouths, compost piles,, sewer lines, sewage purification plants, sewage discharge, river Air grid air, oxygen, pollution, lungs, CO 2, photosynthesis, oxygen Solar Energy Development Specialists 6

7 What is the Electricity Grid? It is a number of electricity generating plants and electrical loads all connected together It connects all our homes and businesses to the electricity generating plants Electricity fuel sources in Alberta (AESO): Coal 74% Natural gas 17% Large hydro 4% Wind 2% Biomass + Diesel 1% Imports 2% Most Customers: House voltages: 240 and 120 V Transformer and electrical distribution pole Electricity generating plant Transmission grid from 25,000 volts to 250,000 volts High voltage transmission tower Electrical substation Distribution grid 25,000 volts and lower In many ways our future is passing us by, and our energy riches may one day look like fool's gold. Gary Lamphier Edmonton Journal Solar Energy Development Specialists 7

8 Can We Really Get Connected? Yes! The solar electric or the microwind electric system is typically connected inside the home, business, or farm. Electricity fuel sources in Alberta (AESO): Coal 74% Natural gas 17% Large hydro 4% Wind 2% Biomass + Diesel 1% Imports 2% Solar or Wind Electric Customers House voltages: 240 and 120 V Transformer and electrical distribution pole Electricity generating plant Transmission grid from 25,000 volts to 250,000 volts High voltage transmission tower Electrical substation Distribution grid 25,000 volts and lower People who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those who are doing it. Solar Energy Development Specialists 8 George Bernard Shaw

9 Merchant Power Generators Wire Service Provider s electrical distribution grid or transmission grid Export kwh AC Generator Only sells to the grid. Services it can sell: energy, power (capacity), spinning reserve, voltage support, power quality (power factor, etc) The new Micro-Generation regulations do not apply to Merchant Generators. We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them. Solar Energy Development Specialists 9 Albert Einstein

10 Load-Offset Electricity Generators Wire Service Provider s electrical distribution grid Import Export kwh kwh Generator AC Used to enhance site electrical security. The generator can be considered as a back-up to the grid. Can sell to the grid. Can buy from the grid. For biomass-based systems, they can have controls on them that allow the generator to follow the changes in on-site consumption. Building electrical circuits The new Micro-Generation regulations are designed for load-offset systems only. Solar Energy Development Specialists 10

11 Grid-Dependent Solar Electric or Microwind Electric Wire Service Provider s electrical distribution grid Import Most common grid-connected configuration. No on-site energy storage. Export kwh kwh Solar Electric (or MicroWind Turbine) Inverter DC (or wild AC) AC Sells to the grid when there is a site surplus. Buys from the grid when there is a site shortage. Automatically shuts down during electrical grid outages. Components: 1. Solar array or microwind turbine 2. DC generator switch 3. DC to AC Inverter (or AC to DC to AC) Building breaker panel 4. AC inverter switch Solar Energy 5. Special Development metering (maybe) Specialists 11

12 Grid-Dependent Solar Electric System 4 major components: PV array DC disconnect Solar inverter AC disconnect Solar electric 1 array No energy storage Most common grid-connected configuration 400 in Canada??? 80 in Alberta? million around the world? 2 Solar Energy Development Specialists 12

13 Wire Service Provider s electrical distribution grid Import meter Export meter kwh kwh Solar electric array DC Inverter How can you generate electricity into your house and also back into the grid? All electrical circuits in a house or building 4 AC solar systems in Canada??? 80 in Alberta? 4.8 million around the world? Solar energy is the ultimate in wireless nuclear fusion Solar Energy Development Specialists 13 where the fusion generator is very safely stored 150,000,000 km away!

14 Wire Service Provider s electrical distribution grid Import meter Export meter kwh kwh Solar electric array DC Inverter What happens during a power outage? The inverter senses that there is a power outage and turns itself off. 4 AC When power returns it turns itself on automatically. All electrical circuits in a house or building Making the simple complicated is commonplace. Making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. Charles Mingus Solar Energy Development Specialists 14

15 Riverdale NetZero Energy House, Edmonton Solar Electric System: 33 m2, 5.6 kw Sanyo solar array 53 tilt for annual optimum sells surplus to the grid every day Solar Energy Development Specialists 15 SunnyBoy 6000 W inverter

16 Grid-Interactive Solar Electric or MicroWind Electric Not a common system configuration 15 to 20 in Canada? At least one system in BC, three in Alberta, Ontario. Many in California. Can store electricity on-site. Continues to operate during electrical grid outages. Enhances electricity security in the building. Can sell to the grid when there is excess. Can buy from the grid. Additional Components: 1. Charge controller 2. Inverter/charger 3. Battery bank 4. Battery bank switch 5. Essential loads breaker panel Solar Energy Development Specialists 16

17 Wire Service Provider s electrical distribution grid Import meter Export meter kwh kwh 1 Solar electric array DC 2 Charge Controller 5 DC How about energy security? 3 Battery Bank This configuration has a battery bank Inverter/charger AC AC Main breaker panel Essential circuits You must skate to where the puck is going not to where it is now. Solar Energy Development Specialists 17 Wayne Gretzky

18 Wire Service Provider s electrical distribution grid During a power outage Import meter Export meter kwh kwh 1 Solar electric array DC 2 Charge Controller 5 DC 3 Battery Bank The inverter senses that there is a power outage. It disconnects itself from the main breaker panel but continues to run the essential circuits Inverter/charger AC AC Main breaker panel Essential circuits For of those to whom much is given, much is required. Luke 12:48 Solar Energy Development Specialists 18

19 2.9 kw BP Solar solar electric array Peter Bull Edmonton Let him that would move the world first move himself. Socrates Greece Solar Energy Development Specialists 19

20 Inverter, charge controllers, DC switches, meters Charge controllers Xantrex Inverter /charger DC array switches 1 of 2 batteries with 60 electrochemical electrical energy storage cells Peter Bull Edmonton Solar Energy Development Specialists 20

21 Solar Electricity The technology is called "photovoltaics", but we only call it "PV". Solar PV Cell Solar can generate any amount of electricity. Large systems = more modules. Solar PV Module PV Panel Solar PV Array 28 modules (100 W ea), 2800 W PV array 20 modules (120 W ea), 2400 W PV array PV Terms Solar Energy Development Specialists 21

22 Microwind Electricity Bergey 10 kw SkyStream Windmills grind grain! They do not generate electricity. ARE kw Solar Energy Development Specialists 22

23 DC to AC Inverters AC switch DC to AC inverter DC switch DC to AC inverter wild frequency AC to DC to 60 Hz AC inverter (for a microwind turbine) DC switch AC switch Solar Energy Development Specialists 23

24 The Grid-Connection Point The connection to the grid is a wire attached to a normal house or building breaker! Breaker panel The breaker The wire from the solar electric system Solar Energy Development Specialists 24

25 Connecting to the Grid Alberta's brand new micro-generator (MG) grid-connection regulatory process 5 paperwork steps to receive approvals for a house-sized solar power system the system is connected to your Wire Service Provider Another couple (?) steps to sell your electricity starting 2009 January 01 your electricity will be sold to your Electricity Retailer Energy efficiency is today s biggest global economic challenge. Office of Energy Efficiency, Natural Resources Canada Solar Energy Development Specialists 25

26 Fuel burning? Previous Steps to Connect a Micropower System (it is still an option) 60 steps in all Wind turbines? Excess electricity? Selling electricity? Solar Energy Development Specialists 26

27 Alberta s Micro-Generator Regulations Must be a renewable or alternative energy source One of three categories: Mini micro-generator: < 10 kw and inverter-based Small micro-generator: <= 150 kw Large micro-generator: > 150 kw and <= 1000 kw Must be connected to the distribution grid Intended for on-site load-offset use only Not intended for merchant power generation to the grid Socialism collapsed because it did not allow the market to tell the economic truth. Øystein Dahle Capitalism may collapse because it does not allow the market to tell the ecological truth. Exxon Norway Solar Energy Development Specialists 27

28 What is Involved to Connect to the Grid? Two basic areas of work when connecting to the electricity grid: 1. Getting the paperwork done to permit its installation This is on what we will focus 2. Buying, installing, and operating the solar or microwind electric system Most of this is not unique to grid-connected systems! I hope we don't have to wait until oil and coal run out Thomas Edison before we tackle solar power. ( ) Solar Energy Development Specialists 28

29 Two Parts to the Paperwork Approvals 1. Getting approval to physically make electrical connection to the grid Starting 2008 July 01 Electrical connection to your Wire Service Provider 2. Selling energy to the grid (not power) Starting 2009 January 01 Sell to your Energy Retailer REAs, RRO supplier, ENMAX, Direct Energy, Alberta Energy Savings Plan Money talks, and until it starts telling the truth about the consequences of fossil fuels, we're kidding ourselves that we can make any significant headway against climate change. Solar Energy Development Specialists 29

30 Mini MG Application Process: < 10 kw Inverter-Based MG Customer Wires Owner Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) Energy Retailer Alberta Electric System Operator (AESO) Solar Energy Development Specialists 30

31 Small MG Application Process: <= 150 kw MG Customer Wires Owner AUC Retailer AESO Solar Energy Development Specialists 31

32 Large MG Application Process: > 150 kw, <= 1000 kw MG Customer Wires Owner AUC Retailer AESO Solar Energy Development Specialists 32

33 Paperwork #1. Contacting your WSP #1. Phone your Wire Service Provider (WSP) and ask for their Micro-Generator grid-connection documents. Do NOT phone: your Energy Retailer; the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC); or the Alberta Government, Alberta Energy or Alberta Environment. They won t know what to do and WILL (likely) give you incorrect and misleading information. They are to send you: The AUC application form with their name on the top of it; The AUC Application Guide; Their grid-connection agreement; and Their Terms and Conditions. Make sure they you all these. Knowing is not enough we must apply. Willing is not enough we must do. Johann Wolfgang von Goethe Solar Energy Development Specialists 33

34 Wires Owners and Wire Service Providers There are some 78 Wires Owners (maybe a bit fewer?) 2 private Wires Owners that are Wire Service Providers: ATCO Electric, Fortis Alberta 9 municipally-owned Wires Owners that are Wire Service Providers: Enmax, EPCOR, Red Deer, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge, Cardston, Fort Macleod, Ponoka, Crowsnest Pass 6 Rural Electrification Associations that are Wire Service Providers South Alta REA, Central Alberta REA, Battle River REA, Rocky REA, North Parkland Power REA, Lakeland REA 61 (?) Rural Electrification Associations that are Wires Owners only Solar Energy Development Specialists 34

35 AUC s Single Line Diagram Solar Energy Development Specialists 35

36 Paperwork #2. Single Line Diagram #2. Task for your System s Electrical Designer: 1. Prepare a SLD (example SLDs are given in the Guide) 2. (optional) Electrical inspector a) Look on the internet to see who the electrical inspectors are for your area. b) Request review and approval of your SLD by the electrical inspector so that they are in agreement with your design c) Incorporate electrical inspector's comments into your SLD. 3. (optional) Submit your SLD to your electrician for review and to inform them. 4. Check to ensure that all electrical components have Canadian approvals. In the end we will conserve only what we love. We will love only what we understand. We will understand only what we are taught. Baba Dioum Environmentalist Solar Energy Development Specialists 36

37 Paperwork #3 for Wind: Transport Canada If you are installing a microwind turbine 1. Read Transport Canada's "Aeronautical Obstructions" web page 2. Download Transport Canada's Aeronautical Obstruction Clearance Form 3. Get a 1:50,000 chart identifying the site of the wind turbine 4. Fill in and submit Aeronautical Obstruction Clearance Form and chart 5. Discuss any wind turbine siting issues with Transport Canada as necessary 6. Receive approval from Transport Canada (can take a few weeks) Education s purpose is to replace an empty mind with an open one. Solar Energy Development Specialists 37 Malcolm S. Forbes

38 Paperwork #4 for Wind: NAV Canada If you are installing a microwind turbine 1. Download and read NAV Canada's "Land Use Proposals Submission Procedures" web page 2. Download and read NAV Canada's "Land Use Proposal Submission Form" 3. Determine if your site is more than 6 km from an airport or not 4. Prepare supporting documents for the Land Use Proposal Submission Form 5. Fill in and submit the Land Use Proposal Submission Form 6. Discuss your Land Use Proposal with NAV Canada as necessary 7. Receive NAV Canada's approval and Notice of Construction document (can take 8 weeks) 8. Fill in and submit NAV Canada's Notice of Construction document Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth. Solar Energy Development Specialists 38 Muhammad Ali

39 Paperwork #5 for Wind: Alberta Transportation If you are installing a microwind turbine 1. Download and read Alberta Transportation's "Roadside Development Application instructions" 2. Download and read Alberta Transportation's "Roadside Development Application" 3. If necessary, fill in and submit the "Roadside Development Application" 4. If required, receive Alberta Transportation's approval I am what I am not because of what I should be or have to be but because what I am made to be. Solar Energy Development Specialists 39

40 Paperwork #6: Development & Construction Permits 1. Phone municipality's permit office and ask if the following are needed: a development permit, building permit, business licence, an emergency response plan. 2. If required for building permit, get any structural part of the micropower system designed by a structural engineer. 3. If required for building permit, get any heating and plumbing part of the micropower system designed by a mechanical engineer. 4. If required, prepare development permit application: letter of intro, site plan, elevation view, prepare building permit application, emergency response plan 5. If required, submit development permit and building permit application to municipality along with any fees, submit emergency response plan to municipality Solar Energy Development Specialists 40

41 Paperwork #7. WSP Application Form #7. You fill out and submit to the WSP: the 1-page application form (page 34 of the Guide) The single-line diagram (pages 25 or 26) Other approvals for wind turbines Municipal development permits They will approve it; or They will send a notice to the AUC as to why they don t approve it (page 35). The AUC will then decide on whether your project will proceed as submitted or not. If you have a complaint then you fill out page 36 and submit it to the AUC for a decision. Bringing you a prosperous future where energy is clean, abundant, reliable, and affordable. American Dept of Energy Solar Energy Development Specialists 41

42 Connecting to the Grid Costs The WSP will let you know if there are any equipment costs to connect to the grid (such as transformers or line upgrades, etc.) For mini MG systems there shouldn t be any costs. For larger systems there likely will be some costs. They will send a notice to the AUC as to why they don t approve it (page 35). The AUC will then decide on whether it will go ahead or not. If you have a complaint then you fill out page 36 and submit it to the AUC for a decision. We have greatness within us -- innovative, giving, determined. It is time for the best in us to come out. Solar Energy Development Specialists 42

43 Paperwork #8. Business Associate (BA) Code #8. If you are installing a small or large MG 1. Fill in BA code application form on Petroleum Registries of Alberta web site 2. Receive BA code by (1 week) Some men have thousands of reasons why they cannot do what they want to when all they need is one reason why they can. Solar Energy Development Specialists 43

44 Paperwork #9. Selling Electricity to the Grid #9. Apply to your Energy Retailer, not your WSP Starting January 01 We don t know what this will look like It may be as simple as phoning the Energy Retailer. I will have some 20 operating solar PV and microwind systems to re-apply under the new MG regulations in January. Anyone who thinks they are too small to make a difference has never spent the night with a mosquito. African Proverb Solar Energy Development Specialists 44

45 Selling Electricity to the Grid what price? Mini MGs and small MGs will get paid for the energy you sell, but not the delivery of it. The RRO price of electrical energy in Edmonton in 2007 was 9.5 /kwh this includes energy and GST only. This is what you will be paid for the electrical energy you export. The total price of RRO electricity in Edmonton in 2007 was 11 /kwh this includes energy, delivery, municipal franchise fees, GST. Large MGs will get Alberta Electric System Operator s System Marginal Price varies every hour ranges between 1 /kwh and 99 /kwh. Solar Energy Development Specialists 45

46 Energy Retailer, Wires Owner Electricity paid in full 11 /kwh 1 kwh 1 kwh 1 kwh Import 1 2 kwh Electricity is delivered to your neighbours by your Wire Service Provider for their normal delivery fee. Export How does net billing work? Electrical energy credit ~9.5 /kwh 3 Electricity paid in full 11 /kwh 4 kwh Electricity distribution lines Energy Retailer sells your energy to your neighbour for full retail price. Ordinary kwh meter Bidirectional kwh meter PV system owner Net billing allows exported electricity to be valued at any price, such as: -a discounted wholesale price, - a price equal to the import price, or -a premium feed-in (green) price. 1 kwh supplied, 1 kwh paid for Neighbour Solar Energy Development Specialists 46

47 Steps To Get Your System /1,2 1. Information you need to get started and plan your system You can find this out from project development consultants and equipment suppliers. Much information is available (books, internet, designers, consultants, suppliers) How does it work? What can you expect from it? What is the potential for solar electricity? What new products are available? 2. Selecting a designer Is your supplier going to design it? Who is reliable? What is their service like? What are their prices? Do they know what they are talking about? What solid experience do they have? Our purpose in being here on this planet is not to make a buck we are here to make a difference. Solar Energy Development Specialists 47

48 Steps To Get Your System /3,4 3. Designing a system What tilt and orientation of solar array? What location for the microwind turbine? What size to select? (solar array or microwind turbine, inverter, wiring, switches) What equipment brands to select? How much room will it take up (roof, basement, yard)? 4. Getting regulatory approvals Where from? How to fill them in? What costs? How much time to do this? Efficiency can save 75 percent of our electricity at a Amory Lovins, 2006 lower cost than making it at existing power plants. Rocky Mountain Institute Solar Energy Development Specialists 48

49 Steps To Get Your System /5,6 5. Financing Using savings, income, deep pockets, or banks? How much does it cost? What is the price of its electricity? How does this compare with other prices? 6. Purchasing it Who is reliable? What are their prices? What is their service like? Do they sell equipment that is legal to sell??? How do you know you are getting a good deal? Only buy solar and wind equipment from dealers who are members of the Canadian Solar Industries Association ( or the Canadian Wind Energy Association ( We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations. Solar Energy Development Specialists 49

50 Steps To Get Your System /7 7. Installing it How do you find a knowledgeable installer? What relationship do they have with the supplier? Your electrician will: 1. Take out an electrical permit and pay the permit fees 2. Wire up your micropower system 3. Call for an electrical inspection Notify your Wire Service Provider of completed installation Caution: Find an electrician who knows about DC electrical wiring (for solar PV), grid-connection, and wiring electricity sources. Make sure your electrical inspector is competent in knowing about equipment certification standards and installation, and the Canadian Electrical Code Sections 50 (solar PV) and 84 (grid-connection). Live so our forefathers would be proud, and our children will be thankful. Solar Energy Development Specialists 50

51 Steps To Get Your System /8,9 8. Commissioning it Does it really work? How do you know it is working? Hire your system designer or supplier to: Turn on and commission your micropower system Make sure it is working as designed and intended Make sure your purchase contracts describe what you are wanting to buy: equipment?, energy?, emissions reduction? and thus what will need to be commissioned. 9. Operating it What do you need to do? if anything! What maintenance is there? Who is supplying the documentation for your system? Who is supplying your operation and maintenance training? Let us put our minds together and see what kind of life we can make for our children. Solar Energy Development Specialists 51 Sitting Bull

52 Celebrate and Watch Your Meter Spinning (optional) Your leadership is very important Invite colleagues, peers, local MPs, local MLAs, family and friends over to have a party and celebrate your leadership, vision, and perseverance in adding to Alberta's energy security and green advantage. 1. Send out a press release inviting the media to cover this news story. 2. Watch your micropower system generate electricity. In our every deliberation, we must consider the impact of our decisions on the next seven generations. From The Great Law of The Iroquois Confederacy Solar Energy Development Specialists 52

53 we hold the future in our hands Download this presentation and others from Photo credits: Gordon Howell and several others Gordon Howell, P.Eng. Howell-Mayhew Engineering Edmonton Phone: Solar Energy Development Specialists