Powering Europe - European Wind Energy Association

longertermimprovementstoeuropeantransmissionplanning
In High Wind North, loop flows occur in and around
Germany above all. As a consequence, specific capacity
enhancement measures like dynamic line rating
have been identified, as have phase shifting transformers.
In its dynamic models for analysing the
impact on the network, EWIS assumed that the wind
power plants have capabilities (such as active and reactive
power, fault ride-through) that match the grid
connection features required today in areas with high
wind penetration.
Economic analysis of EWIS showed that the costs of
the various transmission upgrade measures proposed
are outweighed by the benefits brought about by the
reinforced European network. EWIS’ recommendations
are being used by ENTSO-E as a constituting element
of the future network planning – for example in
their first Ten Year Network Development Plan (TYNDP;
see below for more information).
The EWIS study concluded that the wind power capacity
assumed for 2015 can be integrated into the European
power systems by addressing specific “pinch
points” in the network with the appropriate reinforcement
measures.
Since 2009, the planning of transmission upgrades
at European level has been entrusted to ENTSO-E.
This planning process must be transparent and carried
out in close consultation with the various stakeholders
– which include the wind energy sector and
EWEA. The planning process is supervised by the European
regulators (ACER) to ensure consistency with
national network development plans. One of the vehicles
of the consultation process is a document that
ENTSO-E has to provide on a regular basis (every two
years as of March 2012), containing a comprehensive
vision of the expected and necessary Europewide
transmission development, namely the Ten Year
Network Development Plan 2010 (TYNDP). ENTSO-E
issued a first “pilot” release of this TYNDP in June
2010 [ENTSO-E, 2010].
The TYNDP also points out what new transmission infrastructure
can be used with sustainably mature new
technologies, as well as providing long-term visions
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from both TSOs and stakeholders up to 2050 (including
Smart grids and the Supergrid). The modelling of
integrated networks in the TYNDP builds on inputs and
results of the EWIS study [EWIS, 2010] in order to assess
the most probable power flow patterns. The plan
contains an identification of investment gaps and investment
projects, particularly with respect to the development
of cross-border capacities. With respect to
the integration of offshore wind power, the Plan links
to the work of the EU coordinator for “Connection of
offshore wind power in Northern Europe”.
The document is of strategic importance because of
its links with the European policy framework. It should
be a basis for further input and discussions by regulators
towards clarification of the cost allocation aspects
for new infrastructure and cost recovery via tariffs
for projects of European interest, regional projects
and national projects.
The aim behind the 2010 Pilot version of the TYNDP
was to be the first plan for Europe that was put together
in a structured way and not just by assembling projects
planned by each TSO. However this has not been fully
achieved in the pilot version which does not yet (mid
2010) include the 2020 energy policy goals, or the
Member States’ mandatory renewable energy targets.
European Commission framework for
improved interconnection
By promoting a proactive approach to interconnecting
Member States, the European Union’s Trans-European
Networks for Energy (TEN-E) programme intends to offer
a vehicle for fostering wind power integration. TEN-
E aims to help with the following:
• Effective operation of the internal market in general,
and of the internal energy market in particular
• Strengthening economic and social cohesion by
reaching the more isolated regions of the Community
• Reinforcing security of energy supply
Since 2006 the TEN-E programme has undergone
changes. One of the programme’s basic weaknesses
is that it only provides support for feasibility studies.
Powering Europe: wind energy and the electricity grid