This study aims to develop, improve and adapt some of the techniques that could be used to unlock flexibility for large industrial and commercial customers. This will allow participation in a wider range of ancillary services. To demonstrate the validity of the techniques proposed the steel making industry will be used as a case study. The practicalities of different solutions (e.g. Demand Side Response, Black Start, Balancing DNO/DSO/SO requirements) will be assessed considering the technical constraints and adaptions that may be required.
Benefits
Industrial customers can provide flexibility much more cost-effectively helping to build a smarter, more responsive system. This supports renewables and the wider UK transition to a zero-carbon economy by reducing reliance on fossil fuel power stations. The steel sector is identified with high demand response potential.
This will reduce the energy costs of the industrial user, through plant optimisation in response to market and wider system requirements.
The work to be undertaken is still at proof of concept level therefore financial benefits can not be quantified. If all the problems are solved a significant reduction in energy cost and CO2 emissions can be achieved.
Learnings
Outcomes
The key outcomes of the project are: -
A comprehensive literature review report which includes the review of (1) ancillary services, (2) existing innovative solutions for steelmaking sites, (3) Black start requirements and (4) demand response potential of integrated steelmaking sites, has been delivered and the findings were shared with key stakeholders in Cardiff in November 2020.
Flexibility sources at industrial sites were identified. Plant-level and site-level flexibility across the whole production procedure of integrated steelmaking sites for providing ancillary services for power systems was investigated. The flexibility is quantified in three dimensions – magnitude, direction and duration. The functions and opportunities of energy storage technologies to enhance the flexibility of integrated steelmaking sites were studied in detail.
Optimisation models using various inputs, objectives and the expected output information are mathematically formulated. Using the developed models, the steel plant load demand was optimised by arranging energy-consuming activities to avoid peak hours. The availability of on-site PV & wind generation during different seasons was also investigated. Furthermore, opportunities for a Large Steel Site to participate in demand response were also investigated. It is recommended to install minimum 8MW-Wind and 6MW-PV at the steelmaking site to provide minimum flexibility required to be a Balancing Mechanism provider.
The technical, operational, commercial, and regulatory requirements for large industrial sites and their participation in Black Start (BS) services were identified. The technical amendments at the sites were also proposed. The key findings are summarised below:-
- Co-location of different DER (Distributed Energy Resources) facilities at large industrial plants shows its capability to provide the Black Start service.
- Identification of Critical processes of large industrial plants is required to assess the capability of providing the BS service.
- Reconfiguration of busbars at the site is required to supply energy to critical loads while participating in the system restoration process.
- A firm capacity assessment from generating facilities at the industrial sites are required. This is essentially different from the resource assessment conducted to participate in National Grid’s DSR (Demand Side Response) program.
Lessons Learnt
The lead Research Assistant (RA) left during the delivery of the project. Although the issue was resolved in a reasonably shorter period with new RA in place. It might be useful to take extra measures for future projects to secure key resources for project delivery and consider a backup plan at the beginning of the project.
Dissemination
- The results from Deliverable 1 were presented to key stakeholders at the meeting of H2020 TRACER (Transition in Coal Intensive Regions) project, 20 November 2019, Cardiff.
- A dissemination event with key industry stakeholders from National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) was held in Summer 2020 on Black Start capability of large industrial site.
- A paper with the results from Deliverable 2 and 3 is ready for submission to a journal or a conference.
