Large Scale Wind Energy
On-Site Autoproduction
AGENDA
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What is Autoproduction
Examples of Autoproduction
Benefits of Autoproduction
Enablers
Challenges
Planning Issues
Wind Energy Direct
What is Autoproduction
An Autoproducer is defined as someone who “…
generates and consumes electricity in a single
premises (sic) … essentially for (their) own
consumption…” CER/03/237 (September 2003)
1. Maximum Export Capacity must be less twice the maximum import capacity
(MEC<2*MIC)
2. The demand and generation must be on a single site which is in the legal
ownership of the party with the demand
Drivers of Auto production
Electricity Price, Volatility and
Reduction of Carbon Footprint
Brown Field Electricity Volatility
1. Currently Low
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Recession, excess gas supplies, Government rebates
2. On an Upward Trend
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As European and UK economies recover
1. Ireland’s Electricity Price tracks the price of GAS
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Subject to external Shocks
Foreign Exchange Risk
Demand
Supply ( From Unstable Regimes)
BenefitsJoinery,
& Advantages
Munster
Cork
1. Environmental
2. Financial
Advantages
Environmental
• Helps Ireland meet its 2020 Renewable Energy Targets
• Companies generate true environmentally friendly,
sustainable and renewable energy locally
• Companies reduce their Carbon footprint
• No transmission or distribution losses, less infrastructure
• Generation that’s embedded in the Distribution
system...Helps the grid
• PR and marketing benefits
Advantages
Financial
• Wind electricity price is not connected to fossil fuel electricity
prices
• Industry can hedge their electricity costs
– Open to price shocks; Turbulent market
• Public procurement policy likely to include carbon footprint
when awarding tenders
• Low Energy Costs = Jobs
Wind Autoproduction Enablers
Government recognises the benefits of wind autoproduction
• Priority Access to the Grid
– Up to 5MW, non GPA Process (Gate queue)
– >5MW < 10MW, processed as non GPA if no interaction or public good
criteria met.
• Wind Turbine Technology
– Medium Wind Turbines
– Gearless Wind Turbines
– Programmable Wind Turbines
• Mitigate against noise
• Mitigate against shadow flicker
Wind Autoproduction Enablers
• Grid infrastructure in place on the sites of
large energy users
• No need to run additional electrical lines to
the nearest sub station
– No way leaves or planning for electrical
infrastructure generally required
• Seeking planning on a Brown Field site
Challenges
Wind is generally not one of them!
1. Planning
2. Cost of Brown Field Energy
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Currently low due to excess gas supplies, Global Recession,
Government Rebates
3. No REFIT payment for energy consumed on-site
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In Stark contrast to NI and the Britain
Britain pay 9p up to 1.5MW, and 4.5p above 1.5MW
Investment in Autoproduction flowing out of Ireland to NI and
UK as a result
• 3rd Party Lands rule
• Single Wire Rule \ Private Networks
• PSO being based on MIC
Planning Issues
• Proximity to people, Houses
• Noise
• Shadow Flicker
• Visual Impact
• Proximity to birds, environmentally designated areas,
SAC/ NHA’s/ SPA’s
• Proximity to areas scenic areas, scenic routes
• Ecology, Hydrology, Archaeology, Aeronautical,
Telecommunications
• Comply with proper planning and sustainable
development of the area
Ideal Industrial Site
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Good wind resource
Industrial user with large 24/7 base load >500kW
Large site with no dwellings within 300m of turbine site
Sufficient area for turbine
Good Transport Access
Complies with proper planning and sustainable
development of the area
How Wind Autoproduction Differs
from Green Field Wind Farms
• Wind Autoproduction differs from green field wind farms based on
the following:
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Scale
On a Brown Field site
Infrastructure already in place....No new roads etc.
Background noise from industrial facility
No additional electrical lines required
• We still have to meet all the standard planning criteria:
– Visual Impact, Noise, Shadow Flicker, Roads, Railway, Airports and
radar stations, Archaeology, Ecology, Telecommunications etc.
– Normally we do not need a full EIA but an EIR
• It would be helpful if County Councils adopted a nation wide
strategy towards wind autoproduction
• See example of Cork Co. Council’s wording following:
Cork County Council Wording
“It is an objective to support existing
and established businesses and
industries who wish to use wind energy
to serve their own needs subject to
proper planning and sustainable
development.”
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Wind Energy Direct Ltd
Provide on site electricity via Wind
Founded 2006, following the deregulation of the Irish Electricity Market in 2005
– HQ in Limerick , Offices in Birmingham, Belfast.
Board of Directors – Non Exec’s
– Dr. Edward Walsh
• Founding president of the University of Limerick
• Founding Chairman of the Irish Council for Science Technology and Innovation
• Masters and Doctorate qualifications in nuclear and electrical engineering
– Brendan Tuohy
• Former Secretary General of the Irish Department of Communications, Marine
and Natural Resources.
– Larry Staudt
• Director of the Centre for Renewable Energy Dundalk
• Council member of the Irish Wind Energy Association
• Former VP European Wind Energy Association, Chairman IREC
WED Current Projects
Summary
1. Great Potential for On-Site Wind
2. Sound Public Good Benefits
3. Helps cost base of Irish companies...protects and
attracts employment
4. Helps the country meet its renewable energy targets
and faster
5. Some enablers in place
6. Some obstacles need to be removed to help Irish
Employers benefit....like their competitors in the NI/UK
Dominic Costello
[email protected]
Thank You