Western Sydney University 300996: Smart Grids Assignment 1 Solution

This document presents a detailed solution for the Advanced Smart Grids and Distributed Generation Assignment 1 from Western Sydney University. The solution addresses key questions related to system peak load calculations and CO2 emission factors for different energy sources like coal, gas, wind, and solar. It analyzes Australia's commitments and actions under the Paris Agreement, including emission reduction targets and the use of carryover carbon credits. The document also explores the potential of South Africa as a renewable energy hotspot, comparing the economics and technology of fossil fuel versus renewable energy sources, and discussing the closure of coal companies and power stations. It further investigates the challenges and opportunities of integrating renewable energy into the grid, including the role of electric vehicles, and their impact on the electricity grid, offering insights into their future in both South Africa and Australia. The assignment covers topics such as emission levels, renewable energy, and the impact of electric vehicles on the electricity grid.

SMART ENERGY
Name of student
Instructor
Date

Question 1
Group A,
System peak load of 6000MW (coal units vs. system peak load of 6000MW
supplied gas units and wind and solar power)
Group B, System peak load of 4000MW (coal units vs. system peak load of
4000MW supplied equally from hydro, wind and solar power)
Group C, System peak load of 5000MW (coal and hydro units vs. system
peak load of 5000MW supplied equally from combined cycle, wind and solar power.)
Solution
Where:
EFgrid,OMsimple,y = Simple operating margin CO2 emission factor in year y (t
CO2/MWh)
FCi,y = Amount of fuel type i consumed in the project electricity system in year y
(mass or volume unit)
NCVi,y = Net calorific value (energy content) of fuel type i in year y (GJ/mass or
volume unit)
EFCO2,i,y = CO2 emission factor of fuel type i in year y (t CO2/GJ)
EGy = Net electricity generated and delivered to the grid by all power sources
serving the system, not including low-cost/must-run power plants/units, in
year y (MWh)
i = All fuel types combusted in power sources in the project electricity
system in year y
y = The relevant year as per the data vintage

Question 2
What emissions levels and actions has Australia agreed to?
The Paris agreement focuses on climate change within the united nations
convention framework through dealing with emissions of greenhouse gases,
adaptation as well as finance. The agreement was signed in 2016 by the UN member
states. Majorly, the aim is to maintain the increase in global average temperature
below 2 degrees Celsius above the pre –industrial levels, as well as limit the increase
to 1.5 degrees. Narrowing down to Australia, they agreed on some actions which
includes:
 Reduction of the level of emissions by 5% below 2000, which is approximately by
2020
 Reduction of the level of emissions by 26% to 28% below 2005, which is
approximately by 2030.
 Double the aspect and prospects of renewable energy in Australia by 2020 so as to
foster employment opportunities, incorporate innovation as well as offer a greener
feature

 Through the renewable energy target, promote the utilisation of renewable
resources in order to offer 23% of the total electrical power in Australia by 2020
 By 2030, be able to enhance the energy productivity by 40%
 Institute laws which ensures greatest greenhouse emitters in Australia does their
part in regulating the emissions
 Assisting in the expansion of iconic and green spaces such as the Great Barrier
Reef.
 Mobilisation of the public, households and business into the a various actions
which are aimed at reducing the levels of emissions
 Investing more on clean technology and innovation in order to seizure the
opportunities of a cleaner future
 Building resilience within the community, environment as well as the economy
aimed at managing the risks associated to climate change.
The diagram below illustrates the target reductions in the emission levels
Some of the already enacted programs include;
 Emissions Reduction Fund
 Renewable Energy Target
 Clean Energy Innovation Fund
 Carbon Neutral Program

 Solar Communities Program
 National Greenhouse and Energy
Reporting Scheme (NGERS)
 Energy efficiency measures
 Engaging with the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate
Change
 Asia-Pacific Rainforest Partnership
 Mission Innovation Initiative
 Blue Carbon
 Australian Renewable Energy Agency
(ARENA)
 Carbon Capture and Storage Research
Development and Demonstration Fund
 Hydro-fluorocarbon management
 Equipment Energy Efficiency (E3)
Program
 Taxation measures
 20 Million Trees
 National Low Emissions Coal
Initiative
 National Landcare Program
 Food Rescue Charity Program
 Carbon Farming Futures
What are some of the more controversial items Australia used in its submission?
To meet its Paris agreement targets, Australia utilised some of the loopholes in
the Kyoto protocol by utilisation of carryover carbon credits. In its submission, it
agreed on its aim and commitment to achieving 26% to 28%, reduction of the carbon
emissions, but intentionally wants to adopt the carryover credits from Kyoto to attain
the targets. However, other climate change ministers discouraged this, as it is a bit
‘dodgy’. The utilisation of the carryover would allow it to count credits from
exceeding the targets under the obsolete Kyoto protocol, which jeopardises the Paris
2030 commitment.
Question 3
What makes South Africa a potential "renewable energy hot-spot"? On what
economic/technology basis does the presenter claim that wind and solar prices will

keep falling, whilst those of fossil-fuel plants will at best plateau and most likely
rise in the future?
South Africa is a potential hot spot for renewable energy since it
experiences a great amount of sunlight in terms of the intensity, as well as
high-speed winds along its shores. These are the primary derivatives of
renewable energy. I.e. solar and wind energy respectively. In terms of the
economic. Technological basis, the prices of fuel plants will continue to go up
as they are threatened by depletion, whereas there is a significant focus
towards renewable energy, which is poised to create job opportunities as well
as potentials for promoting economic growth.
The same can efficiently apply to Australia if the appreciate
technologies are applied in the harnessing of renewable energy as well as a
reduction in the utilisation of fossil fuels.
b) Why are coal companies and power stations being closed down?
So far, the price for solar and energy are going down, as well as The
price of wind power. The implication is that people are turning to cheaply
deployable energy, which means the cola companies are being affected and
thus the evolutionary closure of the stations and plants
c) The video compares discusses price per energy production for wind and solar
against fossil-fuel generation. How can you compare the equally important cost of
energy production $/kWh between these three sources, especially the energy cost
for wind and solar which iOS typically $ per peak Watt? Why will the latter vary
from location to location, even when the price per peak power production $/Watt
will largely be constant?

The cost of wind and solar energy is much cheaper as compared to the
cost of fossil fuel generation. This is because wind and solar energy are
obtained free-of-charge, while fossil fuels have to be generated using several
techniques, thus increasing the costs incurred. However, despite a constant
price for peak power production, solar and wind generation will not be
constant and thus vary, as they are associated with fluctuation factors. For
instance, solar energy depends on the illumination whereas wind energy will
mostly rely on the speed of the wind as well as other factors.
d) Given that a certain level of "dispatchable" power will always be required to
meet daily loads on the power grid, how can this be achieved in a system that is
100% renewable energy? How does this alter the cost comparison with traditional
"base load" fossil-fuel plants?
So far, there is limited information towards 100% renewable energy
possibility, however, to meet the daily demands in such plants, a deep
decarbonisation path will be required to be undertaken. This, however, is more
practical with a sharp rise in the cost of the renewables. This can be done
using natural gas plants. In addition, the help of new transmission lines that
connects the renewable energy sources over a great range and thus reducing
the variability can expand the greed. In a way, it is the creation of a super grid,
as depicted below

Other techniques that can be applied include a lot of demand
management, new storage devices that are highly efficient, as well as
sufficient biogas plants to act as dispatchable.
e) The video discusses electric vehicles. Name some of the main impacts (both good
and bad) that electric vehicles may have on the electricity grid.
The major impacts of electric vehicles on electricity grid include:
1. They might results in flexibility of the grid system as they are parked most times
with less time required for recharging
2. The energy in the batteries can be discharged back through the vehicle to grid
technology thus covering for peak demand
3. With the increased number, the daily habits will lead to peak demand at certain
times of the day, which results in congestion of the networks as well as voltages
falling below the normal.
4. It might result in voltage deviations and imbalances which affects the grid
5. An inevitable shift in the supply and demand of power
Why does the presenter see a big future (on both costs and security basis) for
electric vehicles against petrol-powered vehicles in South Africa? Would it equally
apply to Australia?

The presenter sees a big future since with the electric vehicles; they are
likely to incur 50% cheaper, than with the petrol-powered vehicles. Most of
this energy will be generated from the renewable sources, which as well as I
cheaper as compared to the price of petrol fuel, which is also becoming
obsolete and not secure anymore.
Definitely, this is no different in Australia, with the anticipation of
extensive exploration and adoption of renewable energy sources.