Power system planning


Are you interested in a tailor-made training?

The following sample training courses give an overview of possible topics we cover in our tailor-made trainings. The sample trainings can be used as basis to develop a tailor-made training for your company or organisation. If you are interested in a tailor-made training, please fill out this questionnaire and send it to Manolita Wiehl.

Manolita Wiehl
Head of Division
International Business Development and Sales
Tel: +49 (0)30 58 70870 63
Fax: +49 (0)30 58 70870 88
Email: wiehl[at]renac.de

Face-to-face trainings

Sustainable power system planning overview

Long-term view, residual load, unit commitment, capacity constraints, flexibility and software
 


Content:		 
  • Introduction and typical questions of power system planning
  • Modern long-term electric power system expansion planning considering co-benefits of grid connected wind power and solar-PV:
    • Residual load approach for system planning
    • Unit commitment and generator dispatch planning
    • Capacity constraints (sufficient security of supply) planning
    • Distribution and transmissions grid planning
    • Sector coupling planning
    • Resource optimization, reliability evaluation and production cost simulation
    • Fixed / variable costs, CAPEX, OPEX and LCOE
    • Flexible thermal generation planning - from base load to flexible middle and peak load power production
  • Software tool overview used for power system planning taking into account co-benefits of renewable power generation (Purpose, features and covered co-benefits / environmental effects)
  • Power system planning case studies considering co-benefits of wind and solar-PV
 

Learning objectives:		 
  • Explain the differences between the traditional and modern power system planning approaches based on different load curve methods and incorporation of co-benefit grid connected wind power and solar-PV
  • Compare tools used for power system planning and how co-benefits can be used during the planning process and
  • To explain how selected co-benefits of renewable energy e.g. information on "global warming and human health effects of ambient air quality" affect the outcome of power system planning.
 

Target group:		 
  • Ministries recognising the importance of climate protection/policy and/or with responsibility for climate and energy policy on national level
  • Energy planning commissions and planning divisions of grid operators
  • Authorities and regulators with power supply planning tasks
  • Policy makers on subnational/state level
  • Energy or climate related agencies, think tanks and research institutions
 
Duration:2 days

Power system planning and operation with variable renewable energy

Base/middle/peak load, balancing power, short-term forecast, security of supply and grid studies
 


Content:		 
  • Photovoltaic (PV) and wind power technology
  • Residual load approach and power system flexibility
  • Balancing power needs for system operation and planning
  • Short-term PV and wind power forecasts
  • Security of supply with wind power and photovoltaic
  • Grid integration and system integration study set-up
 

Learning objectives:		 
  • Determine effects of high shares of PV and wind power on power systems
  • Explain the residual load approach and flexibility measures
  • Explain short-term wind and PV forecasts for grid operation and energy market transactions
  • Calculate balancing power needs and the reliable PV and wind power capacity with a probabilistic tools
  • Explain frequency and voltage control with PV inverters and wind turbine generators
  • Manage the set-up of a grid and/or system integration study for variable renewable energy
 
Target group:

This training suits those who:

  • Are responsible for power system planning and strategy development in public and private companies and institutions the energy sector
  • Plan and operate transmission and distribution electricity grids
  • Academia who like to learn about grid integration strategies
 
Duration:5 days

Grid integration of variable renewable energy – photo- voltaic and wind power

Grid codes, voltage and frequency control, monitoring, high/ medium/low voltage grids
 


Content:		 
  • Grid code requirement overview
  • Voltage control in power systems, steady state
  • Voltage control in transmission and distribution networks considering wind power and PV, dynamic behaviour
  • Monitoring of system state during actual system operation, re-dispatch and curtailment
  • Frequency control for wind power and PV
  • Grid code compliance procedures applied at different stages of a VRE project
  • Grid study approaches
 

Learning objectives:		 
  • Name impacts of wind power and photovoltaic (VRE) on system planning and operation,
  • Explain grid code requirements for photovoltaic and wind power considering voltage control and frequency control strategies
  • Explain grid code compliance procedures and performance tests for photovoltaic and wind power
  • Establish frameworks for the sustainable and beneficial integration of increasing volumes of renewable-generated electricity into the grid
  • Advise on the associated grid-related challenges
 

Target group:		 
  • Engineers from the public and private sector working in the field of electricity
  • Transmission and distribution grid operators
  • Energy ministries
 
Duration:3 days

Rooftop and open field photovoltaics in distribution grids

PV technology, voltage/frequency control, short-term power forecast, low/medium voltage grids
 


Content:		 
  • Understanding PV technology with regard to distribution grids
  • Voltage control (steady state and dynamic behavior) in low and medium voltage grids
  • Frequency control
  • Short term power forecast of grid connected rooftop PV
 

Learning objectives:		 
  • Determine effects of high shares of PV on the distribution network
  • Understand photovoltaic technology fundamentals with regard to grid integration (MPP-tracking and introduction to inverter technology)
  • Explain voltage (static/dynamic) and frequency concepts with PV
  • Give details of short term power forecast of PV
  • Describe grid code requirements for low and medium voltage grids
 

Target group:		 
  • Senior management positions with distribution grid companies
  • Energy ministries
 
Duration:1 day

Online trainings

Highly resolved scenarios for electricity generation from wind, PV and CSP

Tools and methods for developing feed-in time series and grid study scenario development
 


Content:		 
  • Aims and tools for scenario development
  • Scenario development for wind
  • Scenario development for PV
  • Scenario development for CSP
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Take steps to generate feed-in time series and dynamic modelling of wind and solar
  • Perform scenario simulations (based on numerical weather prediction)
  • Calculate the power output of the total wind/PV/CSP capacity in a specific region
 
Target group:Professionals from the energy sector (engineers)
Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Short-term prediction of wind and solar power

Weather-to-power models, forecast applications and forecast for a grid control centre
 


Content:		 
  • Purpose and area of application
  • From weather prediction to power prediction
  • Forecast for a grid control centre
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the forecasting of RE generation and flexibility of power plants
  • Distinguish different renewable power forecasting systems
  • Define and calculate forecast errors
 
Target group:Professionals from the energy sector (engineers)
Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Grid integration and system integration studies

Structure and typical questions, modelling, assumptions and recommendations
 


Content:		 
  • Purpose and typical topics
  • Grid integration studies
  • System integration studies
  • Typical scope of work for grid and system integration studies
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain different types of grid and system integration studies
  • Name relevant aspects and relevant time frames of such studies
  • Paraphrase study methodologies to explore the impact of wind/PV plants on the grid and on power system operation
 
Target group:Professionals from the energy sector (engineers)
Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Generator concepts for renewable generation

Synchronous and induction generator, double fed induction generator, fully converted generator and inverter technology
 


Content:		 
  • AC generators
  • DC generators
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain AC power generation concepts for grid connected fixed and variable speed generators
  • Describe wind turbine concepts, advantages and disadvantages
  • Present PV systems (DC generators, main components, single phase and three phase inverters)
 
Target group:Professionals from the energy sector (engineers)
Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Balancing power design

Purposes, reserves types, stochastic functions, outage model
 


Content:		 
  • Balancing power: purpose, types and definitions
  • Calculation model
  • Supply of balancing power
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the necessity of balancing power and the role of the grid operator
  • Distinguish concepts of primary reserve, secondary reserve and minute reserve
  • Determine balancing power requirements with probability functions
  • Describe auctioning procedures and the Merit Order concept
 
Target group:Professionals from the energy sector (engineers)
Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Grid codes for renewables

Grid code structure, technical requirements, voltage and frequency control
 


Content:		 
  • Development and purpose
  • Grid code structure
  • Technical requirements
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the purpose, use and content of grid codes
  • Distinguish Point of Connection (POC) and Point of Common Coupling (PCC)
  • Explain frequency range of operation and voltage range of operation
  • Analyse power quality aspects (e.g. reactive power capability)
 
Target group:Professionals from the energy sector (engineers)
Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Generation expansion planning of systems with high share of wind and PV generation

Generation adequacy, equivalent load carrying capacity, capacity credit, software tools (PLEXOS, WASP)
 


Content:		 
  • Generation adequacy
  • Firm capacity of variable renewable energies
  • Impact of VRE on generator dispatch
  • Standard software tools for generation expansion planning
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Describe the purpose of generation expansion planning
  • Explain factors influencing the Capacity Credit of VRE
  • Illustrate load duration and Residual Load Duration Curve
  • Name standard software tools: WASP model and PLEXOS model
 
Target group:Professionals from the energy sector (engineers)
Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Storage

Battery storage systems and applications, technologies (FES, CAES, PHS, SuperCaps, SMES, TES) and costs
 


Content:		 
  • Terminology and parameters
  • Applications
  • Mechanical energy storage systems
  • Electrical energy storage systems
  • Thermal energy storage systems
  • Chemical energy storage systems
  • Economics of energy storage systems
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Present the purpose of energy storage and its future role
  • Classify storage technologies
  • Calculate specific costs and compare different economic aspects
  • Explain complementarities of storage systems
 
Target group:Professionals from the energy sector (engineers)
Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Wind and PV grid integration

Variable renewable energy scheduling and operation, grid congestion, capacity planning and grid code parameters
 


Content:		 
  • Time Series of Variable Renewable Energies
  • System Operation: Scheduling and Forecasting
  • Balancing Power Calculation Methodology
  • Management of Grid Congestion
  • Capacity Planning
  • Grid Code Development
  • Grid and System Integration Studies
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the use and development of time series for variable renewable energy
  • Present the basics about power system operation, scheduling and forecasting
  • Describe the purpose and types of balancing power and management of grid congestion
  • Discuss capacity planning methodologies, grid codes and the development of grid studies
 
Target group:Professionals from the energy sector (engineers)
Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Flexibility options for power systems

Variable RE, grid, storage, demand-side integration, dispatchable generation, levelised cost of flexibility, market frameworks
 


Content:		 
  • Power system transformation
  • Flexibility options
  • Cost of flexibility
  • Market frameworks
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain the key role of flexibility in successful power system transformation
  • Describe different flexibility options and name important measures
  • Formulate the framework for a cost-effective power system transformation
 
Target group:

This course suits those who

  • Want to know about challenges and solutions of RE grid integration
  • Are involved with power system transition in general Take a holistic view on the power system
 
Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Flexible grid infrastructure and management

Boundary conditions, limits, infrastructure improvements, congestion management, demand-side management
 

Additional information following soon.
 

Flexibility of thermal power plants

Flexibility parameters, O&M, retrofit measures, operational costs and market environments
 


Content:		 
  • Dimensions of flexibility
  • Operation and maintenance of flexible power plants
  • Retrofit measures for thermal power plants
  • Implementation and costs
  • Market environments for improved generation flexibility
  • Case studies
 
Learning objectives:

After completing this course, participants will be able to:

  • Explain what flexible operation of thermal power plants means
  • Describe important technical measures facilitating this mode of operation
  • Determine key success factors for operating flexible thermal power plants in an economically viable way
 
Target group:

This course suits those who

  • Are involved in thermal power plant planning and operation
  • Have to determine the role of thermal power plants in an energy transition (regulatory or political perspective)

Prepare various types of studies on RE system integration

Duration:Ca. 3 - 6 weeks
Study time:Ca. 40 hours

Digitalisation and smart technologies for the power sector

Drivers of digitalisation, key technologies, smart generation, risks, cyber security
 

Additional information following soon.
 


Content:		 
  • Energy economics background of digitalisation of the power sector
  • Opportunities and risks of digitalisation for sustainability and decarbonisation
  • Key technologies
  • Smart generation, transmission and consumption
  • Smart markets and process
  • Risks and cyber security
 
Learning objectives:

After completion of the course, participants will be able to:

  • Identify the areas of the power sector which are most affected by digitalisation
  • Assess potential advantages for society, the economy, and market participants arising from the digitalisation of the power sector
  • Identify and explain the most important technologies which form the basis for the current digitalisation of the power sector
  • Explain how these technologies can be applied in order to optimise generation, transmission, storage and consumption of electrical power
  • Understand which aspects of digitalisation support decarbonisation and energy efficiency, and which can put these objectives at risk
  • Demonstrate how digital technologies shape existing markets and processes, and how they may create new ones
  • Describe the risks arising from increasing digitalisation of the power sector and create counter measures against potential attacks
 
Target group:

This training suits those who:

  • Are involved in the energy sector and want to understand the link between digitalisation and energy
  • Would like to get information about current trends in smart grid development
 
Duration:Ca. 1 month

 

Coupling to the power sector

Generation of power, heating and cooling sector, transport sector, indirect use of electricity, regulatory framework
 

Additional information following soon.
 

The integration costs of wind and solar power

Grid costs, balancing costs, plant utilisation, total costs, economic effects
 

Additional information following soon.
 

Inertia requirements for renewable power systems

Stability and control, importance of inertia, inertia gain, dynamics of generators, dynamical modelling
 

Additional information following soon.
 

Protection settings in low and medium voltage grids

Behaviour of protection, calculation methods, planning, testing, monitoring
 

Additional information following soon.
 

Battery systems for ancillary services

Method for sizing, modelling, time-series simulation, economics, standards
 

Additional information following soon.