The photovoltaic (PV) generation in Romania as an important source of distributed generation (DG) is just at the beginning. The conditions for support schemes of large-scale grid integration of PV systems in Romania are favorable. Government support for renewable energy production is expected to decline in the next years.
The photovoltaic (PV) generation in Romania as an important source of distributed generation (DG) is just at the beginning. The conditions for support schemes of large-scale grid integration of PV systems in Romania are favorable. Government support for renewable energy production is expected to decline in the next years.
The photovoltaic (PV) generation in Romania as an important source of distributed generation (DG) is just at the beginning. The conditions for support schemes of large-scale grid integration of PV systems in Romania are favorable. Government support for renewable energy production is expected to decline in the next years.
Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iasi, Bd. Dimitrie Mangeron 67, Iasi, 700050, Romania
Abstract: The photovoltaic (PV) generation in Romania as an important source of distributed generation (DG) is just at the beginning. Some theoretical aspects regarding integration of Photovoltaic Power Plants (PVPP) in the Romanian Power System (RPS) are analyzed in the paper. In this context, the status and current trends of grid-connected PV arrays, as well as the technical requirements for PVPP and the regulations from the Romanian legislation are presented.
Keywords: renewable energy sources, solar energy, photovoltaic generation, photovoltaic power plants, grid requirements
1. INTRODUCTION
The conditions for support schemes of large-scale grid integration of photovoltaic (PV) systems in Romania are favorable. The legal environment for such support schemes was improved in 2012. Government support for renewable energy production is expected to decline in the next years. The legal support to encourage small-scale deployments of PV systems is still pending. If the approval process is not expedited, the market can become overheated [1]. The electricity produced from renewable energy sources (E-RES), including PV arrays, plays an increasing role in Europes electricity system and present a challenge for the grid operators [2]. 31.1GW of PV capacity was installed around the world in 2012, whereas in 2011 were installed only 30.4GW. 17.2GW of PV capacity was connected to Europes grid in 2012, compared to 22.4GW in 2011. The decline of relevant European PV markets in 2012 hides various realities at national level. The market evolution was different from one country to another. Romania has still untapped potential in this area. In 2012, the Romanian market brought only 26MW in the power system. As many analysts have predicted this market grew in 2013 [1]. The decentralized PV electricity can be produced close to the location where it is needed. Furthermore, PV generation has a strong seasonal correlation and also an average daily correlation with wind generation. Together these two energy sources can provide up to 45% of Europes electricity needs in 2030 if exploited properly. When the PV and the wind generations are used together (considering from a Europe-wide perspective rather than a local or national one), they provide realistic solutions to the technical challenges involved in the integration of this large share of renewable electricity into the power grids [2]. Limiting factors of PV penetration into the power grids are the increasingly stringent grid requirements imposed by grid operators aiming to maintain grid stability [3].
This paper presents some aspects of the PV systems integration in the Romanian Power System (RPS). The PV potential and the Romanian support mechanisms, as well as the grid requirements for PVPP according to the recent grid codes are covered. The paper is structured as following: Section 2 shows the solar potential and the installed PV capacity in Romania; the legal and regulatory framework for PV in Romania is presented in Section
* Corresponding author, email ibanu86@yahoo.com 3; in section 4 the grid requirements for PVPP in Romania are given; Section 5 outlines the major conclusions of this paper.
2. SOLAR POTENTIAL AND INSTALLED PV CAPACITY IN ROMANIA
Romania has significant PV electricity potential. In the next years, PV power generation would be an important part of the electricity production in Romania. The level of solar irradiation in Southern Romania, which covers more than half of the countrys surface, is similar to the one of countries with tradition in developing PV projects [4]. The capacity of solar energy in Romania is predicted to reach 1.2TWh by 2020. Currently the power installed is a little bit lower than 2GWh. Romania estimated to have an important solar energy potential in Europe, by ranking on 11th place in the 30 EU countries as global yearly irradiation from horizontal and optimum angle for vertical mounting [5]. The solar map of Romania [6, 7] with yearly sum of global irradiation and solar electricity potential on optimally inclined surface of PV modules is depicted in Figure 1. The data values are given in kWh/m 2 .
Fig.1. Solar radiation and PV electricity potential of Romania *Source PVGIS European Union, 2001-2012.
The map of Power Transmission Grid (PTG) and PVPP commissioned in Romania at 02/18/2014 with the data from 01/31/2014 is given in Figure 3 [11]. Due to the large number of PVPP from 01/01/2014, the map shows only the PVPP commissioned (put into operation) that are authorized by National Authority of Regulation in the field of Energy (ANRE). Each locality shows the sum of all commissioned power plants, containing PVPV commissioned according to National Power Dispatcher (NPD) and PVPP connected to the power distribution network (PDN). The current status of PVPP projects is given in Table 1 [11].
Table 1. Current status of PVPP projects TOTAL (MW) PTG (MW) PDN (MW) With technical connection approval 2245.032 193.6 2051.432 With connection contract 2957.491 93.798 2863.693 OVERALL TOTAL 5202.531 287.398 4915.125 From which commissioned according to NPD 859.638 24.562 835.076 Additional commissioned according to issuers 174.523 0.6 173.923
Fig.3. The map of PTG and PVPP in Romania.
The total installed capacity of E-RES from certified production units (wind, hydropower <10MW, biomass and solar PV) at the end of 2010, 2011 and 2012 is 520.4MW, 1134.3MW, and respectively 2327.76MW of which 2028.7MW with production license and 299MW with establishment and operation authorizations (Figure 2). During the years 2010, 2011 and 2012, the installed capacity of E-RES production units is 113.4MW, 597.6MW and respectively 1072.83MW [8, 9, 10]. The number of E-RES producers in 2012 increased from the previous years. At the end of 2012, 147 E-RES producers were licensed by ANRE, from which 41 are PV producers [10].
Fig.2. The total installed capacity of E-RES, in Romania in 2010, 2011 and respectively in 2012.
3. LEGAL AND REGULATORY FRAMEWORK FOR PHOTOVOLTAICS IN ROMANIA
Comparing to other European states, Romania offers not only similar weather conditions, but a more attractive support scheme, as well as economic stability, very skilled technical personnel and in general a friendly business environment. Among European Economic Area (EEA) countries, Romania is one of the most promising emerging markets for PV energy investments. With the introduction of support mechanisms in the law in 2008 and the subsequent amendments in 2010, 2011 and 2012, Romanian PV energy market will significantly grow in next years. The cumulative PV installed capacity of Romania in 2012 was only 29MWp, and it was expected to reach several hundred MWp at the end of 2013 [4].
In Romania, the PVPPs have priority access to the electric grid and there are simplified connection procedures. In Romania a compulsory quota system combined with Tradable Green Certificate (TGC) is active for the promotion of E-RES. The TGC system has been introduced with the Government Decision (GD) no. 1892/2004 [12] of the Romanian Government [4, 13]. The main legal framework for (renewable energy sources) RES development in Romania is the Electricity Law [14]. The Electricity Law established ways to promote electricity produced from RES and the rights and obligations of the persons involved [13]. The Parliament passed the Law no. 220/2008 [15] in order to improve the promotion system of E- RES. The Law no. 220/2008 creates the legal framework for the implementation of the mechanisms to promote of E-RES. Through the adoption of the GD no. 1479/2009 [16], the Government of Romania decided to implement the combination of compulsory quota combined with the trading of green certificate (GC) instead of the mechanism of feed in tariffs [4] as promotion mechanism of E-RES. As stipulated by [15], after the E-RES producers received from Romanian Energy Market Regulator (ANRE) the license to produce electric energy, they must request also from ANRE to be qualified as beneficiaries of the promotion system of GC. In order to receive GCs, the next step is the register of E-RES producers at the transmission system operator (TSO). The E-RES producers will receive monthly from TSO a number of GC according to the type of RES and to the amount of electricity provided to the electricity supplier or/and to the final consumer [4]. As stipulated by Law no. 220/2008, modified by Law no. 139/2010 [17], the energy generated by E-RES producers may be provided using the national grid system or through an isolated grid system [4]. The functioning of the GC system in Romania is depicted in Figure 4 [8, 9, 18].
Fig.4. The structure of the green certificate system in Romania.
According to [9], the PV generating less than 10MW were offered 6TGC/MWh in 2011 [15], while in 2012 the amount was decreased to 3TGC/MWh [22]. In Romania, the electricity produced by PV generation is also eligible for the net metering system. The net metering system is applied for less than 50% of the PVPP with power rated less than 1MW [12]. In addition to the GC schemes, the PV technology in Romania is supported by investment subsidies and tax incentives [12]. Romania has enacted the necessary legislation on the GC support scheme and Law 220/2008 is fully applicable [19]. According to law 220/2008, republished, for the electricity produced from PVPP until 01.01.2014 [4], Romania gave 6GC/MWh [4, 9, 15] over a period of 15 years [9]. For the period 2008-2025, a GC may be traded within a minimum value for 2012 of 27/MWh and a maximum value of 55/MWh. These values are adjusted yearly by ANRE according to the average annual inflation index, calculated by Eurostat [4]. New institutions introduced by Law 134/2012 [20] still need further clarification from the competent authorities, mainly ANRE [19]. With the enactment of Law 123/2012 [21] the conclusion of privately negotiated power purchase agreements (PPAs) is forbidden [19]. The consequence of this measure is that new investors are not able to conclude any PPAs before obtaining the production license. To this end, as PPAs are generally requested by credit institutions for granting financing of the projects, the new investors face more difficult times in obtaining financing for their projects in Romania. This has limited the development of the E-RES market, especially for solar PV technology [19]. It is widely agreed by the industry players that the interdiction on privately negotiated PPAs had significant negative impact on E-RES development in Romania and therefore it is expected that in 2013, Law 123/2012 will be amended to better address this issue [19].
As per the provisions of Law no. 220/2008 as amended and completed by Law no. 134/2012, any reduction of GCs amount should not be implemented for solar PV facilities before 1 January 2014 [19]. The number of GCs received by the producers depends upon the RES that they use. For the newly installed PVPP, a number of 6GC/MWh is offered for the next 15 years. Furthermore, the producer is entitled to 1GC for the trial period, subject of the preliminary accreditation [19]. As per the latest amendments brought by Law 134/2012, no GCs reduction caused by overcompensation will be imposed upon solar PV before 2014 [19, 20]. According to [22], starting 1 January 2014, the measures to reduce the number of GCs for power plants/ energy groups held by renewable energy producers, accredited by ANRE, are approved as follows: 3GC for each 1MWh produced and delivered by solar power producers [22, 23]. Between 07/01/2013 and 31/12/2016 a number of 2GCs/MWh is temporarily postponed for solar PV. The recovery of the GCs postponed will be returned to the renewable energy producers starting with 1st of April 2017 [24, 4].
The evolution of installed capacity of power plants that benefited from the promotion system of E-RES in 2010[8], 2011 [9] and respectively in 2012 [10] and the energy produced depending on the type of source are depicted in Figure 5. According to [10], the amount of E-RES production that benefited from the GC in 2012 was 3365035MWh (78.45% wind energy, 16.64% hydropower energy, 4.67% biomass energy, and 0.24% solar energy) and its related electrical capacity was 2298.204MW (78.19% for wind units, 18.37% for hydropower units, 1.24% for biomass units, and 2.20% for PV units).
Fig. 5. Installed capacity and electricity produced from E-RES that benefitted from green certificates (GCs) in 2010, 2011 and respectively in 2012.
The annual change in the number of GC emitted between 2010 and 2012 are shown in Figure 6 [10]. A number of 7GC were issued for the first time in 2010 to electricity produced from PV sources through the promotion system of E-RES [9, 10]. The electricity produced from RES in 2011 was 1509637MWh, being issued 1752794GC for it, 0.1% out of that was the PV generation (1815GC). The installed capacity of E-RES production units mentioned above were 1225.626MW (of which only 0.08% was solar) [9]. The total electricity production in 2012 was 3365035MWh, 5547302GC were issued for it, out of which 45269GC were for PV generation [10]. From the 3-year analysis of the GC trend, it can be observed that the percentage of GC offered for PV sources is very low compared to the number offered for other unconventional sources, and the total number of GC is quickly growing.
Fig.6. The annual evolution in the number of GC issued by TSO to E-RES producers during 2010-2012. 4. GRID REQUIREMENTS FOR PHOTOVOLTAICS IN ROMANIA
The PVPP are connected to the grid through grid converters which, in additions to transferring the generated dc power to the ac power grid, have advanced functions such as: dynamic control of active and reactive power; stationary operation within a range of voltage and frequency; voltage ride-through capability; reactive current injection during faults; participation in a grid balancing act like primary frequency control, etc. The design trend of PV inverters is influenced by the grid requirements. Islanding should be quickly detected and the inverter should be immediately disconnected from the power grid to avoid any personal safety issues, especially for residential PV systems. Fault ride-through capability is designed into large PVPP connected to distribution systems, with important power generation, in order to stabilize the power system. This feature becomes more important as the amount of power provided by PV systems is increasing every year. The grid-connected PV systems need to comply with standard requirements in order to ensure the safety and the seamless transfer of the power to the electrical networks. Typically, local regulations imposed by the grid operators are applied in most countries, but large efforts are made worldwide to define some standard grid requirements that can be adopted globally. The grid requirements are very important specifications that have a large impact on the design and performances of the PV inverter [3]. In Romania, the grid requirements for safe operation of both the power system and PVPP are given by ANRE in [25].
The PVPP should fully respect all technical grid requirements of Technical Transmission Grid Code [26] and Electricity Distribution Grid (EDG) Technical Code [27]. The PVPP should be able to produce simultaneously active and reactive power on unlimited duration in the PCC, corresponding to any conditions within the equivalent PQ diagram at frequency values ranging between 49.550.5Hz and admissible voltage [25]. The PV inverter has to be capable to stay connected to the grid and operate continuously without time limit, at frequency values ranging between 47.552Hz, rates of frequency variation up to 1Hz/second (s), and voltage variations in the point of common coupling (PCC) between 0.9pu and 1.1pu of the nominal voltage (U n ). The PVPP and its solar inverters should stay in operation at voltage dips and voltage variations in the PCC on one phase or all three phases according to Figure 7. The PV inverters should inject the maximum reactive current for at least 3s during the occurrence of voltage dips without exceeding the operating limits of PVPP [25].
Fig.7. Voltage profile of fault ride-through capability in Romanian grid codes for PVPP.
A typical characteristic for the frequency control in the Romanian grid code is depicted in Figure 8. The PVPP should be equipped with automatic control system of active power depending on frequency (f/P automatic control). The control system should operate according to frequency/active power response curve depicted in Figure 8 (power variation depending on frequency), where the available active power is P a . The active power generated by PVPP is limited in the ranges: A (50-47Hz), B (50-47Hz), C (50-52Hz), DE (50-52Hz). These points are set according to the requirements of the network operator with an error of 10MHz. The measured frequency error should not exceed 10MHz [25].
When the voltage in the PCC have values in the admissible range, the reactive power generated/ absorbed by the PVPP should be continuously controlled according to a power factor placed at least in the range of 0.95 capacitive and 0.95 inductive. The PVPP should provide the automatic voltage/ reactive power control in the PCC through voltage control, controlling the reactive power exchanged with the RPS and power factor control (to ensure the exchange with the power system of zero reactive power when the active power generated by PVPP is zero). The PVPP that operates under a normal operational regime of the power grid should not generate fast voltage variations higher than 5% from the nominal voltage in the PCC. Also the islanding of PVPP is not allowed, so any PVPP should be provided with anti-islanding protection devices [25].
Fig. 8. Frequency control characteristic for the PV arrays connected to the Romanian grid.
In Romania, the grid connection requirements for PVPP meet international standards. These requirements are similar to those from others European countries and are approved by the European Commission. The conditions for interconnection of RPS to the electric power system (EPS) of Europe are fulfilled and also the technical conditions for attracting new investments in this promising field are ensured.
5. CONCLUSIONS
This paper has presented some theoretical aspects of PVPP integration in Romania. The solar electricity potential, the PV capacity, the legal and regulatory framework, and the grid requirements for PVPP in Romania are discussed. An analysis of the installed capacity of electricity produced from PV generation and respectively of the number of GCs granted to them in relation to the other RES was conducted.
As the principal conclusion, it may be stated that Romania has high potential for solar energy. The variable renewable energy of PVPP needs access to the power grid. Considering the large amount of existing and also the further developments of RES projects, particularly PV systems, the transmission grid and the distribution grid needs significant reinforcements and adaptations to intermittent renewable generation. The RPS developments and upgrades to smart grid solutions are needed in the near future to tap into the true generation potential and to ensure a healthy and safe development of grid.
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