Making Ireland’s grid fit for future scale
Ireland has placed offshore wind at the centre of its sustainable future. Ambitious offshore wind targets have set the tone and a strengthened and modern grid will enable this.
However, integrating offshore wind into the national grid presents challenges that require advanced technological solutions, including High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) technology, and smart digital systems. Leading voices in the energy sector, including Ruairi Williamson of Hitachi Energy Ireland, provide valuable insights into how these challenges can be addressed, offering solutions that ensure Ireland’s grid is fit for a renewable future.
Offshore wind and renewable integration
Offshore wind energy is a key pillar in Ireland’s renewable energy strategy. The country’s extensive maritime coastline offers enormous potential for offshore wind farms, with estimates suggesting up to 30 gigawatts (GW) of offshore wind capacity could be harnessed. This is particularly crucial as Ireland aims to generate 70 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030, with offshore wind taking centre stage in this transition.
Recent government initiatives such as the Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) and the Maritime Area Planning Act (MAPA) are designed to encourage the development of offshore wind projects. MAPA, in particular, streamlines the approval process for offshore developments, helping unlock Ireland’s vast offshore wind potential and ensuring faster development. Ireland aims to have at least 20GW of offshore wind capacity by 2040.
Technology will be key in addressing critical grid connections
Hitachi Energy has been involved as a strategic collaborative partner in accelerating the energy transition in addressing key challenges such as supplying critical technologies for the integration of offshore wind into Ireland’s grid. Here the company has used its innovative High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) transmission solutions. HVDC technology allows for more efficient transmission of power over long distances, which is essential for connecting offshore wind farms, often located far from the mainland to the grid. Unlike conventional Alternating Current (AC) transmission, HVDC minimizes energy losses and provides a more stable and reliable method for transferring electricity.
Hitachi Energy has been at the forefront of HVDC technology for nearly 70 years, providing innovative solutions like the HVDC Light® system. Ruairi Williamson highlights that this system, based on voltage-source converter technology, is ideal for integrating renewable energy sources such as offshore wind.
Examples of this include the companies service agreement to provide service solutions to link the electricity grid in Ireland and the United Kingdom, via submarine cables for the East West Interconnector (EWIC) high-voltage direct current (HVDC) link that is owned by EirGrid Interconnector Designed Activity Company (EIDAC), Ireland’s grid operator.
The submarine cables run between HVDC converter stations in Ireland and Wales. The 500-megawatt interconnector is approximately 260 kilometres long and supplies enough energy to power 300,000 homes. Hitachi Energy designed and built the link and has been providing service solutions since it first went into operation in 2013.
Additionally, HVDC technology can enhance the flexibility of the grid by connecting multiple power systems across regions. Williamson emphasizes that multiterminal hubs, coupled with DC circuit breakers, could establish extra-high-voltage DC power grids, enabling more efficient use of renewable energy and optimising transmission lines.
Challenges in grid integration
While offshore wind presents significant opportunities for decarbonisation, integrating this renewable resource into the grid poses several challenges. Offshore wind is intermittent, meaning its output can fluctuate depending on weather conditions. This makes it harder to match supply with real-time demand, requiring advanced grid management and storage solutions.
Ireland’s existing grid infrastructure, which was initially designed for conventional energy sources, needs significant upgrades to accommodate the variable nature of renewable power, especially offshore wind. Grid operators must integrate large-scale renewable energy sources while maintaining grid stability and reliability. Ruairi Williamson emphasises that the country needs to overcome delays in grid transformation, citing how countries like Germany and Norway have made significant strides in upgrading their grids to accommodate renewables. Ireland, however, has been slower in this regard, largely due to indecision around the technological and infrastructural changes required.
To effectively integrate large amounts of offshore wind energy, Ireland must upgrade its grid infrastructure to make it more flexible, efficient, and reliable. This requires not only improving transmission lines but also investing in advanced grid technologies that can manage renewable energy fluctuations while ensuring grid stability.
Grid upgrades should focus on incorporating smart systems that enable real-time monitoring and forecasting. Additionally, technologies like static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs) can help improve the grid’s stability by providing reactive power support, which is crucial for maintaining voltage levels. Investments in energy storage systems will also be necessary to smooth out supply and demand imbalances, especially when renewable generation is low.
The role of digitalisation and artificial intelligence
As Ireland’s grid transitions to accommodate more renewable energy, digital technologies will play a crucial role in managing the increasing complexity of energy generation and consumption. Artificial intelligence (AI) is particularly significant for optimising grid operations. AI can predict renewable power generation based on weather forecasts, adjust to fluctuations in supply, and provide real-time balancing of energy resources.
The use of digital technologies will help operators enhance grid stability and efficiency while reducing reliance on fossil fuels for backup generation. Ruairi Williamson advocates for the digital transformation of Ireland’s energy sector, pointing out that the increasing volume of data generated by renewable sources requires advanced communication systems and analytics for real-time decision-making. By incorporating AI and other digital technologies, Ireland can manage its grid more effectively, ensuring a reliable power supply as renewable energy grows to become the backbone of the nation’s electricity system. It is also important that we meet the demand from the increased electricity demand driven by the growth of AI. AI-related electricity demand is expected to grow by as much as 50 per cent annually from 2023 to 2030, therefore it is crucial that we have a grid that can handle this increased demand and flexibility meet our future needs.
Conclusion
Ireland’s offshore wind sector offers a significant opportunity for the country to meet its renewable energy goals, but realising this potential requires overcoming substantial challenges. The integration of offshore wind into the grid requires the development of new technologies, infrastructure, and grid management strategies. HVDC technology stands out as a key enabler for transmitting large amounts of offshore wind power efficiently and reliably. At the same time, the grid must evolve to be more flexible, efficient, and responsive to fluctuations in renewable generation. Digital solutions, particularly AI, will be essential in ensuring the grid can manage future demand while maintaining stability.
By combining innovations like HVDC technology, smart grid solutions, and digital transformation, Ireland can create a more resilient, sustainable energy system.
Ruairi Williamson, Hitachi Energy
For further information visit
W: www.hitachienergy.com
