The health of the power system has significant potential impacts of renewables on the robustness of power grids and the subsequent implications for electric fast charging stations.
Addressing a common perception that integrating renewables into power systems might pose challenges. Ruhuna University Lecturer Dr. (Eng.) KMSY Konara stated, “In practical settings, integrating renewables is not considered good; many believe it introduces issues to the healthiness of the power system.” The concern lies in the variability associated with renewable energy sources, like wind and solar, which can lead to frequency fluctuations, voltage rise problems, and overall grid instability.
Konara was speaking on November 20 as part of the Electrical, Electronic, and Telecommunication Engineering Section Committee Session 2023 lecture organized under the Institution of Engineers Sri Lanka (IESL).
Drawing from experiences in Norway, Konara recounted a project in Skarpnes, a solar village facing power quality and voltage rise issues.
The project involved developing algorithms and decentralized strategies to effectively manage power flow within distribution feeders. The success of such initiatives underlines the importance of a strong and healthy power system backbone.
As the world leans towards sustainable transportation with electric vehicles, the need for fast-charging infrastructure becomes paramount. However, the specialist emphasized that the deployment and operation of fast charging stations should align with the stability of the power grid. “We should have a very strong physical layer and a computational layer; with both, we can avoid all the mentioned issues very nicely,” Konara stated.
European nations, recognized for their high penetration of renewables, have successfully navigated these challenges. The discussion highlighted the role of comprehensive grid codes and computational models specific to each plant or charging station. In Denmark, for instance, a country with 6,000 megawatts of wind energy, the intricate grid codes enable precise frequency control, demonstrating that it is possible to achieve high renewable penetration with a well-maintained and stable power grid.
The insights shared underscored the importance of looking beyond the physical layer of power systems. The industry specialist stressed that for electric fast charging stations to thrive, a comprehensive computational layer is indispensable. Konara said, “For all the problems, we can’t find the solutions within the physical layer alone. There should be a very comprehensive analytical layer or a computational layer on top of the physical layer.”
The health of the power system emerges as a linchpin in the successful operation and deployment of electric fast charging infrastructure.
As the world accelerates towards sustainable modes of transportation, ensuring a robust power grid becomes not just a technological necessity but a fundamental prerequisite for the widespread adoption of electric vehicles and the efficiency of fast charging solutions. TP
The post Globe accelerating towards sustainable modes of transportation appeared first on DailyNews.