Interconnectivity Task Force in partnership with CIGRE

Agenda and Minutes

Present                                             

Chaired by:	Alessandro Clerici (Director of Task Force), Italy
Members:	Dalal Helmi, Egypt Kieran O'Brien, Ireland Francesca Massara, Italy Massimo Ceccariglia, Italy Hector Srmiento Uruchurtu, Mexico Lars Vormedal, Norway Florin Balasiu, Romania Juan Manuel Alvarez González, Spain Eloy Alvarez Pelegry, Spain Staffan Mared, Sweden
WEC Secretariat:	Elena Nekhaev
By Teleconference:	Elías Velasco García, Spain (Task Force Chair) Ravi N Nayak, India Juan Manuel Rodriguez, Spain Michael Valocchi, USA

 

WELCOME AND INTRODUCTION

The meeting was chaired by the Task Force Director, Dr. Alessandro Clerici. The Task Force Chairman, Mr. Elías Velasco García, rendered his apologies for not attending the meeting in person due to an unforeseen business commitment. He participated by conference phone.   Mr. Kieran O’Brien acted as minute taker.

TASK FORCE MEMBERSHIP AND APOLOGIES

Membership list attached in Annex 1

Apologies received from:

Abdelmadjid Benbellil, Algeria Sridhar Samudrala, India Ir. Nur Pamudi, Indonesia Pat Naidoo, South Africa Alexander Mondovic, Switzerland Gül Okan, Turkey Colin Ray, UK

 

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Following the introductory remarks, the discussion centred on refining the scope of work and interpreting the Terms of Reference.

A number of participants noted that while the objective of the study was readily comprehensible, the overall scope was insufficiently explicit and required further refinement.

The proposed scope was perceived as very broad and concerns were expressed about how the task force would deal with the potential mass of relevant issues.

The general consensus was that the Task Force (TF) should rely on CIGRE and other expert bodies for inputs in the technical area, and should avoid duplication of effort. WEC’s strengths lie in its high-level policy driven approach and its wide geographic coverage. These factors would shape the general approach to the task.

There are a number of important dimensions to be taken into consideration:

• Technical
• Financial
• Legal / Institutional
• Policy
• Public awareness/acceptance

 

The TF will have to decide on the focus areas and on the target audience for the main messages (politicians, utilities, TSOs, etc?). Case studies of successful / unsuccessful experiences will provide a starting point.

Dr. Clerici outlined the wide disparity of issues between the developed and developing regions of the world. In the developing countries, somewhat less advanced and reliable technical solutions might be acceptable, especially in remote regions, perhaps at relatively lower reliability standards initially.

Some members raised the issue of national versus regional interconnectivity. The general consensus was that the focus of the group would be regional and “cross-border” while not entirely ruling out national issues, particularly in large countries.

Concerns were raised about the poor representation of key regions on the TF. Dr. Clerici and Ms. Nekhaev undertook to redress this imbalance as much as possible. China, has already been contacted by Dr. Clerici, and has promised to contribute and will possibly nominate a committee member.

It was agreed that CIGRE active participation would be extremely important and Ms. Elena Nekhaev will liaise with CIGRE. The nominated CIGRE representative, Mr Colin Ray (National Grid, UK) was unable to attend this meeting.

4.           DRAFT PROJECT OUTLINE

4.1        Overview reports

It was agreed that a concise status report from each of the main global regions would be an appropriate way to commence, providing direction and inputs for the future work of the TF.

The reports should conform to a common general information template which will also allow issues specific to each region to be raised. These issues would be important in determining the overall shape of the TF output.

4.1.2     General Information Template:

REGION
Fuel Mix
Installed Capacity (MW)							Electricity Generation (TWh)
		Current			Planned		Current			Planned
Coal
Natural Gas
Oil
Nuclear
Hydro
Wind
Solar
Geothermal
Modern Biomass
Energy Transfers within the Region (TWh)
Export				Import				Balance
Demand Growth (% per year)
Current						Forecast 2020
Policy & Regulatory Environment:
Institutional Framework:
Energy Constraints:
Specific Features:

 

Each region would raise the key issues of importance applicable to that region.

4.2        Cross Cutting Issues

A number of issues of a non-regional nature were raised for discussion and some were identified for specific reports/discussion papers.

4.2.1     Escalating transmission costs

With escalating commodity and labour costs, transmission of bulk power is getting more expensive day by day. This impacts significantly on the economics of bulk electricity supply, and potentially changes the relationship between primary energy supplies compared with transmitting electric power. This issue will receive further consideration as the report develops. Special preliminary reports from Africa (Inga / P. Naidoo), Brazil and China relevant to bulk transmission projects would be welcome (actions from E. Nekhaev).

4.2.2     Smart grids

Smart grids have been specifically included in the terms of reference. While the term often refers to distribution rather than transmission, the topic will be considered only in relation to transmission (intelligent grid) with special reference to applications of ICT’s, WAMS, etc.  Mr Valocchi (IBM), USA) who has a significant interest and knowledge in this area, will contribute a draft paper. He recommends that the group focus on economic and regulatory issues rather than strictly technical aspects.

It will also be important in relation to connecting large amounts of intermittent renewable energy sources such as wind and photovoltaics to the system in the future. Mr. Rodriguez will present a special preliminary report based on Spain experience.

4.2.3     Merchant transmission

Dr. Clerici raised the issue of “merchant” transmission and this issue was briefly discussed. Mr Kieran O’Brien (WEC, Ireland) agreed to provide a discussion paper on the topic. This would be an “issue raiser” and the subject would require more detailed input from knowledgeable companies investing in the area.

4.2.4     Permitting and under-grounding

Mr. O’Brien raised this issue and it was generally agreed that it would merit a separate section in the report. It is likely that CIGRE has carried out significant research in this area. Mr. Ceccariglia will provide a discussion paper.

4.2.5     Governance

This issue was raised by Mr. Eloy Alvarez Pelegry. It would ultimately touch on the ISO – TSO debate relevant to interconnection, but also on supra-national institutions and particularly on the “For-profit” versus the “Not-for-Profit” models of transmission system management. It would be important to try and keep this issue focussed on interconnectivity. Again, it was felt that this issue would probably merit a section of its own in the final report. Mr. Eloy Alvarez Pelegry will provide an “issue raiser” paper; the possible contribution of Euroelectric would be very useful.

4.2.6     Joint Planning across national boundaries

This issue was raised by Dr. Hector Sarmiento (IIER, Mexico) . It has particular relevance to the Mexico_USA border and will be further considered on a wider level. Dr. Sarmiento will provide an “issue raiser” report.

5.       DIVISION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

Region / Country / Topic	Responsibility / Action
Nordic Region, Europe - Joint Nordic Development plan	Mr. Lars Vormedal & Mr Staffan Mared
Western Europe / UCTE	Mr. Juan Manuel Rodriguez
Russia and CIS - Update summary of recently published WEC report	Ms. Nekhaev
South-East Europe - Regional report drawing on a recently published Bulgarian report	Mr. Florin Balasiu
Mediterranean Area, Magreb and Southern Europe	Mr. Massimo Ceccariglia & Mr. Abdelmadjid Benbellil
Middle East	Dr. Dalal Helmi & Dr. Hisham Khatib
East Africa	Ms Nekhaev to request WEC African Regional Manager, Latsoucabé Fall
Southern and Sub-Saharan Africa	Ms. Nekhaev to request Mr. Pat Naidoo
South Asia, India	Mr. Ravi Nayak
China	Dr. Clerici to contact Ms Cheng for possible reports on UHV AC and DC Chinese network
South East Asia	Ms Nekhaev to request Dr. Sarawut Kaewtathip
North America	Michael Valocchi
Central America	Dr. Hector Sarmiento
South America, based on the recent WEC Report on Regional Integration	E. Nekhaev to produce
Escalating transmission costs   Africa (Inga) Brazil and China - relevant to bulk transmission projects	Elena Nekhaev to request draft reports   from Pat Naidoo from regional experts
Smart grids Spain’s experience of wind power integration in grid management	Mr Valocchi Juan Rodriguez
Merchant transmission.   Private investments, i.e. merchant lines, reactive power, etc.  Position Paper to be reviewed at the next meeting and later to be developed by companies with experience.	Mr Kieran O’Brien
Permitting and under-grounding.   Check costs/timing/environmental/permitting/cables vs lines issues, position paper.	Terna & CIGRE Mr. Ceccariglia to provide a discussion paper
Governance. Current models, governance, security of supply, government policies (comparative analysis of TSOs+ISOs) relevant to interconnectivity. Supra-national institutions and particularly on the “For-profit” versus the “Not-for-Profit” models of transmission system management. ISO – TSO debate. Provide an “issue raiser” paper; possible contribution of Euroelectric	Mr. Eloy Alvarez Pelegry &   Eurolectric
Joint Planning across national boundaries.   Particular relevance to the Mexico – USA border and will be further considered on a wider level.   To provide an “issue raiser” report.	Dr. Hector Sarmiento
Special projects Remote areas - Algeria Islands - Malta Sri Lanka	Mr. Abdelmadjid Benbellil Alessandro Clerici Ravi Nayak

 

6.       ANY OTHER BUSINESS

          A web page for the Task Force is being constructed and details will follow.

          Alessandro Clerici thanked the meeting participants and said the schedule for submission of

          drafts should be completed by end-June/mid-July

7.       DATE AND VENUE OF NEXT MEETING

          Monday 22nd September 2008, Madrid