Pilot project using curtailment to increase the renewable energy share on the distribution network

Going to a green electricity landscape needs to cover not only the cost of the renewable production units, but also the cost for their full integration in the system. Hence, the additional costs of congestion and balancing need to be considered as well. Solving congestion issues by investing in new grid assets can be a costly and time-consuming way to integrate new renewables to the grid. Hence, the Belgian distribution network operator Eandis started a pilot project on wind turbine control where a traditional connection would not have been possible for the wind turbines. This 'smart' connection solves congestion issues and allows more renewable energy on the grid. This seems contradictory, but controllability does not necessarily mean curtailing, as discussed in the paper. It signifies an opportunity for better utilizing the grid assets and allowing more green energy production units in the electric power system. This paper discusses the results of the pilot project.

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