How Low Can You Go

Low Load Diesel

Prof. Michael Negnevitsky| University of Tasmania

Dr. Xiaolin Wang | University of Tasmania

Mr. James Hamilton | University of Tasmania

Faculty of Science, Engineering & TechnologyPOWER MANAGEMENT& DIESEL GENERATION

Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology

This presentation will discuss

Intro | Centre for Renewable Energy and Power Systems

S.o.A. Power Management Practices;

Low Load Diesel & Power Management;

What is Low Load Diesel

Industry Appetite for Low Load Practice;

LLD Pilot Opportunities.

Faculty of Science, Engineering & TechnologyThe University of Tasmania Renewable Energy LabCentre for Renewable Energy Power Systems

>8 Full Time Academic Staff >15 Full Time PhD & Masters Students

Unique Facilities include;

Internet Connected Micro-grid Laboratory;

Remotely Connected Research Workstations;

Solar Research Facility; and,

Wind Turbine Torque Transients Laboratory.

visit www.kingislandrenewableenergy.com.au

visit www.kingislandrenewableenergy.com.au

Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology

LLD approaches may involve:

Injector performance;

Variable load cooling;

Turbo-compounding and variable geometry turbo performance ;

Variable speed generation.

What is Low Load Diesel LLD explores engine operation via improved low load combustion.

Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology

Existing diesel capabilities constrain renewable penetration.

LLD allows greater renewable input.

LLD reduces diesel dependence.

LLD increases power management flexibility.

Low Load Diesel (LLD) and Improved Power Management

Faculty of Science, Engineering & TechnologyMarket Perceptions and Practices

Most operators hold some prior LLD experience;

Most operators are supportive of greater RE utilisation;

Rare for systems to adopt high penetration of renewable resources;

LLD application uncommon and not supported by OEMs.

Faculty of Science, Engineering & Technology

Install an modern Utility scale diesel generator on King Island;

Extend observations into a low load research initiative;

Deliver a low load roadmap for remote consumers regardless of technology.

.pilot trials commencing Q1 2016.

The Proposal

Sourced: Alan Fetters, AEA, 2013 Alaska Wind Diesel WorkshopFaculty of Science, Engineering & TechnologyUtilitys with hybrid dieselsystems are running their modern electronicallyfuel injected diesel generator sets below manufacturers recommended minimum loadingfor periods of time and have not reported consequences that would deter them from continuing the practice.ABBAECOMAlaska Energy AuthorityAlaska Center for Energy and PowerAlaska Village Electric CoopAustralian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)Australian Antarctic DivisionBushlightBritish Antarctic SurveyCaterpillarCentre for Appropriate TechnologyChininik Wind GroupCSIROCumminsEnergy Development LimitedErgonGDF Suez CofelyHydro TasmaniaInternational Finance CorporationJoule LogicKodiak Electric CoopKotzebue Electric CoopMarsh Creek LLCMegaWatt CapitalMetamayaMTUNational Renewable Energy Agency (NREL)Nome Joint Utility SystemsNinti OneRE PlusSynergy (formerly Verve Energy)TDX PowerTerritory Generation (formerly P&WC)Unalakleet Village Electric CoopUniversity of Alaska FairbanksWartsilaWorld BankThanks to; Thankyou James Hamilton email james.hamilton@utas.edu.au

*WelcomeIm James Hamilton

Today we are going take a 15 minute snap shot of low load diesel application within remote area power systems to improve power management flexibility. Administrative slidesIll introduce myself and cover some context regarding progress to date;Ill continue to introduce innovative power management architectures within a remote area power systems context;Well explore the opportunities inherent within such systems;Providing a definition of LLD approaches & technologies;Reviewing existing research initiatives;Sharing current results including industry perceptions and practices, as identified through our recent survey campaign.Providing a vision for future research activities.& Discussing the proposed UTAS low load diesel pilot program structure

*CREPS Intro Slide*King Island has a world class remote area power system, inclusive of wind, tracking pv, biodiesel, diesel ups, resistive frequency control, battery storage and demand management capabilities.The screen shot on the right is actual performance data ([click] to animate, [esc] to exit).

Id like to talk through whats happening:Wind is at rated capacity, solar irradiance is strong, batteries and flywheel are on reserve.And yetThe resistor is burning 400kW of energy as heat.

Diesel generation firing to produce 360kW of energy which is feeding resistor burn. Diesel is being burnt to supply frequency control, reactive, fault ride through capability, ramp response and power quality.In the example to the right the 1200kW generator (the smallest generator on the island) is operating at its minimum operational threshold of 30% rated (360kW)

The diesel generator, and its ability to run a low loads is constraining the whole system and restricting renewable content.

What if we could run the diesel generator down to a lower load level?

*

Heres one I prepared earlier ([click] to animate, [esc] to exit).

Its King Island at a 10% low load level:

And it would save the King Island community 160,000 litres of diesel per year.

160,000L of diesel that doesnt have to bought into Tasmania.

So what is low load diesel?

*Low load technologies seek to improve the poor low load combustion characteristics of conventional diesel gen-sets.

How to achieve sustained low load operation, and the implications for the operation and maintenance of the gen-set are the focus of this research initiative.

To improve low load diesel capability is to improve power management flexibility.*Low load diesel matters because diesel is expensive.Low load diesel matters because energy storage is expensive.Low load diesel matters because renewables are comparatively inexpensive.To make the most of what you got, what youve got being legacy diesel infrastructure, capital constraints, under utilised renewable resources, LLD matters.Low load diesel doesnt commit consumers to a particular energy pathway, it facilitates an energy future increasingly released from diesel reliance.

*What does industry have to tell us about low load diesel application.We surveyed over 300 participants across Australia, the Pacific Islands and Alaska to understand why low load diesel application wasnt more prevalent.

Historically issues with low load application.Current technology delivers vastly improved LLD capability.Not Supported by OEMs given poor assessment of market volumes.

*Low load diesel approaches are largely absent in RAPS systems because of a lack of operational experience around low load diesel applicationOperational experience introduces resourcing and funding barriers associated with any R&D activity.UTAS are proposing to demonstrate low load diesel capabilities within a remote area power system.

Im keen for feedback, to explore how we might complement existing research initiatives and welcome any offers of support.

**