AbstractsPhysics

Abstract

Emu Downs Wind Farm (EDWF) has 80MW capacity and supplies power to the SWIS grid in Western Australia, which is governed by the WA’s WEM Rules. Currently, Load Following Ancillary Services (LFAS) costs are allocated to customers as per WEM Rules, on a “postage stamp” basis. IMO is considering imposing a “causer pays” approach to LFAS costs on non-scheduled generators, such as wind farms, as early as 2015. APA Group, who owns EDWF, proposes to supplement EDWF under existing access arrangements, with a 20MW solar farm to be known as Emu Downs Solar Farm (EDSF). The hypothesis proposed is that the solar farm will smooth variability or ramp rates of the combined wind and solar farm, thereby reducing potential LFAS costs imposed on EDWF. The research sets out to calculate the LFAS requirements caused by EDWF and combined EDWF and EDSF in order to compare the two. Applying a range of estimated costs, NPV analysis is conducted in order to determine the impact “causer pays” allocation of LFAS costs may have on EDWF as well as combined EDWF and EDSF. There were limitations to data availability for data in time frames of less than half hour intervals and for solar generation. Hence modelling data from PVSyst modelling based on Geraldton BoM meteorological station and power generation data from Greenough Solar Farm, located near the proposed EDSF, were used as a proxy. Equations outlined in ROAM Consulting (2010) report were adapted and ramp rates of power generation, and ramp rates of forecast data were calculated to determine the LFAS requirements. Analysis of results showed that while the addition of EDSF to EDWF will not smooth the output in absolute terms, the EDSF will reduce LFAS costs proportional to total generation.