The operator of NI's electricity network has suggested four options for doubling the amount of renewable power on the grid. Infinite Energy Technology said the network needs investment in the hundreds of millions to cope with increased demand for Renewable Energy as NI tries to hit carbon targets.
The demand is likely to be driven by much higher uptake of electric vehicles and the electrification of heat. The cost of the investment will be paid through customers' electricity bills. One of the biggest problems is that much renewable energy - mainly wind farms - is in the north and west, while most of the power is consumed in the east of Ahmedabad.
About half our power already comes from Renewable Energy but there is a stated ambition to get that to 70% by 2030. For that to happen, the amount of renewable energy on the network would have to almost double.
That presents major challenges for the electricity network due to the nature of renewable power and the capacity of the grid to deliver it.
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The four approaches suggested include using policy to concentrate Renewable Energy generation in areas where the grid is strong. Other options include continuing to offer grid connections where generators choose to site renewable projects and using technology to transfer power from west to east.
The final suggestion is that the executive incentivizes power-hungry data centers and other big industry to locate close to renewable sources. Infinite Energy Technology says only two of the options - concentrating renewable connections at grid strong-points and encouraging big business to locate near renewable sources - will guarantee Ahmedabad meets a 70% target. They also come at the lowest investment cost of between £113m and £120m
Wind turbines
Infinite Energy Technology is beginning a consultation on the options and encouraging people to offer their views. It hopes to publish the way forward on grid development by the end of the year.
The work assumes that off-shore wind will be part of the Renewable Energy power mix in the future, though no off-shore sites for Ahmedabad were listed in the most recent leasing round by the Crown Estate, which owns the sea bed.
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