The power industry is moving from fossil fuels to renewables and the transition requires a decentralised power grid system, and enhanced system flexibility to accommodate the rising demands of renewables. James Cook University and Powerlink Queensland through more than $650,000 funding from Advance Queensland’s Industry Research Projects are working together to optimise the transmission grid planning and operations in North Queensland, including the transformative Copper String Project. The project is led by Dr Jiajia Yang, Senior Lecturer in renewable energy and electrical engineering at JCU.
Building a More Efficient and Reliable Grid
This project marks a significant step towards a more efficient and reliable power grid that can effectively integrate renewable energy sources and to deliver clean, reliable, and affordable energy for future generations.
Challenges of Renewable Integration
The increasing reliance on renewables, such as solar and wind power, introduces uncertainties due to their inherent variability and dependence on weather conditions. These uncertainties pose significant hurdles for grid planning and operation. To help meet Queensland's renewable energy targets there needs to be an innovative solution to optimise the power grid.
Significance of Grid Optimisation
By intelligently integrating renewable energy sources, the project aims to achieve an overall boost in power system efficiency. The anticipated outcomes are promising, encompassing cost-effective planning strategies, flexible grid operations, and improved forecasting capabilities. Additionally, the project will contribute to the development of advanced renewables integration modelling and enhanced visibility of Distributed Energy Resources (DERs).
The project's significance lies in its direct impact on the efficiency and reliability of the power grid, factors critical for meeting the region's ever-growing energy demands. The existing infrastructure was not designed to handle the unique characteristics of renewable energy sources, resulting in complexities when managing power flows and maintaining system stability.
Benefits of Optimisation
Addressing these issues is crucial for several reasons.
- Cost Effectiveness: Optimising grid planning and operations paves the way for cost-effective strategies that can accommodate the inherent variability of renewable energy sources, ensuring a reliable and resilient energy supply.
- Maximising Renewables: The project will focus on improving load forecasting, renewable generation output forecasting, and transmission grid planning specifically for scenarios with high renewable energy integration. This focus on maximising the utilisation of renewable resources is particularly important for Queensland, a state heavily invested in renewable energy production.
- Sustainability and Climate Change: The project aligns with broader goals of sustainable development and climate change mitigation. An optimised grid can significantly contribute to Queensland's economic development by reducing energy costs and carbon emissions. In the larger context of global efforts to combat climate change, this project offers a clear pathway for Queensland's power grid to evolve and meet the challenges of the modern energy landscape, all while contributing to broader environmental and economic objectives.
About Industry Research Projects
Industry Research Projects supports researchers and industry to collaborate to translate research outcomes into commercialisation opportunities.
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Last updated: 09 Aug 2024