The Integrator: Hybrid generation load site control and grid code compliance (HyLoGen Comply)

The Integrator

The Integrator is a collaborative industry programme designed to examine the interplay between offshore wind, existing infrastructure, and other technologies and developments to identify real opportunities to innovate and put offshore wind at the forefront in the energy transition. It aims to maximise the contribution of offshore wind to a low cost, flexible, predictable and low carbon energy future.

The project

As part of Phase III of the Integrator programme, the Carbon Trust is soliciting entries from qualified companies and consortia interested in undertaking a comprehensive study to determine how offshore wind farms (OWF) can operate in concert with flexible load assets – electrolysers and or batteries – behind the grid same connection point while maintaining grid code compliance.

Project objectives:

  • Understand what grid codes are in place today in the UK national and EU level for generation assets and for load assets (separately), how these could apply to hybrid load generation sites and identify any gaps, issues, barriers, and possible best practices.
  • Define representative hybrid load generation site asset configurations and system architectures for electrolysers and battery energy storage systems (BESS), with an OWF size of at least 1GW and a co-located load asset of at least 400MW.
  • Understand the possible interactions between the OWF and flexible load assets and their impact on the grid connection point under diverse use cases focussing on the transient regime between the hybrid site (OWF and flexible load-generation asset) moving from importing power to exporting power.
  • Determine the appropriate testing points for attributes specified in the grid codes within the hybrid site, exploring whether assessments should be conducted at the asset level or the entire system.
  • Assess the implications of the developed asset configurations and use cases for demonstrating grid code compliance. Identify areas where current grid codes are insufficient to cover these use cases.
  • Assess various control and integration strategies for the OWF, the flexible load assets (electrolyser and or battery), and the grid connection point. A key scenario for these strategies is when switching between import and export operating modes.
  • Understand the requirements for local power park controllers to meet these strategies.

Preferred experience:

The ideal applicant should possess:

  • Familiarity with and experience of assessing and appraising both UK and EU grid codes for the purposes of compliance and experience in developing grid compliance processes.
  • Experience in designing and implementing electrical models for demonstrating grid code compliance under a range of operational conditions.
  • Experience with and understanding of the electrical operation of batteries and full electrolyser plant systems including ancillary system and balance of plant.
  • An understanding of and or experience in designing power park control systems preferably in relation to the operation of hybrid load generation sites.

Timeline:

  • Applications open: 12 February
  • Deadline for clarification questions: 23 February 2024
  • Clarification document published: 1 March 2024
  • Submission of full tender: 15 March 2024

All inquiries and submissions should be sent electronically to: Rob Bloom at rob.bloom@carbontrust.com, Karolina Zieba at karolina.zieba@carbontrust.com (cc).

Tender Documents