| Update
and stable trading partner which receives a higher share of quality solar energy than other countries in the region.”
“Since we first envisioned the Australia- Asia PowerLink, we have consistently hit our targeted milestones. The confidence of our project delivery partners and government support have shown us that we are on the right track, and that the AAPowerLink can truly move the needle on emissions in a significant way, with the potential to revolutionise regional grid connectivity,” said Dr Thompson. AAPowerLink aims to transmit large volumes of renewable electricity from the Barkly region of the Northern Territory to the Darwin and Singapore markets. It consists of the following
main components: ● solar farm precinct including energy storage and voltage source converter (VSC) near Elliott, in the Northern Territory;
● high voltage direct current overhead transmission line from the solar farm to Darwin;
● VSC and a utility-scale battery in Darwin; ● subsea HVDC cable system from Darwin to Singapore; and
● VSC and utility-scale battery in Singapore. Sun Cable describes the AAPowerLink project as “the first of its kind, and the first of many, to harness Australia’s high-quality solar resource to power the Indo-Pacific region with competitively priced, dispatchable, high- volume renewable electricity”. The company notes that regional grid integration is accelerating rapidly, with initiatives such as the European Commission’s 2030 framework for climate and energy (which includes a 15% electricity exchange target for 2030) and the One Sun One World One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative (see text box below). However, the Asia Pacific, despite its rapid energy demand growth and need for renewable energy, is behind in grid integration, the company observes, while recent research carried out by Sun Cable highlights the opportunities and benefits.
The evolution of HVDC technology now makes it economically feasible to connect energy grids over much longer distances. This evolution in HVDC includes improvements in voltage, reliability and cable depths. Sun Cable’s research indicates the following:
● HVDC cable laying depths have increased to 3000 m.
● HVDC fault rates have decreased by 80% over last 20 years.
● HVDC system voltages have increased at about 10.6% per annum over the last 20 years.
Sun Cable also finds that grid connectivity is particularly beneficial in Asia for several
reasons, eg: ● Leveraging the region’s diverse renewable energy assets. The Asia Pacific has vast amounts of renewable energy potential.
● Significant cost savings. There are large potential cost savings from grid integration, particularly by reducing the required generating capacity in individual countries.
● Strengthening public finances. Enhancing competitive renewable electricity generation can help reduce the need for expensive energy subsidies in Asia. The International Energy Agency (IEA) estimates that APAC countries spent at least US$78 billion on fossil fuel subsidies in 2019. US$61 billion was spent on oil products with the rest being spent on coal, electricity and gas.
One sun, one world, one grid
On 2 November, UK prime minister Boris Johnson and Indian prime minister Narendra Modi jointly launched a new international initiative at the COP26 World Leaders Summit, backed by over 80 countries, “to accelerate the development and deployment of interconnected electricity grids across continents, countries and communities, and improve energy access of the poorest through mini-grids and off-grid solutions.” Called Green Grids Initiative - One Sun One World One Grid (GGI-OSOWOG), it is led jointly by the UK and India, with a steering committee consisting of Australia, France, India, USA and UK. The new entity issued the following declaration at its launch:
“The untapped potential of the sun is
well known – all the energy humanity uses in a year is equal to the energy that reaches the earth from the sun in a single hour. The sun never sets – every hour, half the planet is bathed in sunshine. By trading energy from sun, wind and water across borders, we can deliver more than enough clean energy to meet the needs of everyone on earth. This trading is already beginning to happen through discrete bilateral and regional arrangements. But to meet the sheer scale of the challenge, these efforts need to be brought together and supplemented to create a more inter- connected global grid. We call this vision: One Sun One World One Grid. “We need new transmission lines crossing frontiers and connecting
different time zones, creating a global ecosystem of interconnected renewables that are shared for mutual benefit and global sustainability. This must be combined with expanded and modernised national and regional grids and complemented with the rapid scale-up of mini-grids and off-grid solar solutions. “To help deliver the vision of One Sun One World One Grid, we have resolved to combine our efforts and create a more inter-connected global grid. Our next step is to develop an action agenda for global co-operation on this agenda. Through working groups of interested governments, regulators, financiers, institutions, companies, legislators and researchers, we will seek to provide a common global framework for efforts on: 1. Investing in solar, wind, storage and other renewable energy generation in locations endowed with renewable resources for supporting a global grid.
2. Building long-distance cross-border transmission lines to connect renewable energy generators and demand centres across continents, underpinned by effective and mutually beneficial cross-border power trading arrangements.
3. Developing and deploying cutting edge techniques and technologies to modernise power systems and support green grids which can integrate billions of rooftop solar panels, wind turbines and storage systems.
4. Supporting the global transition
to zero emission vehicles through incorporating the role of electric vehicles to help improve grid flexibility.
5. Attracting investment into solar mini-grids and off-grid systems to help vulnerable communities gain access to clean, affordable, and reliable energy without grid-access in their own areas, enhancing socio-economic development and a resilient power supply for all.
6. Developing innovative financial instruments, market structures, and facilitate financial and technical assistance to attract low-cost capital, including climate finance, for global solar grid infrastructure.
“Through these and other efforts, we intend to co-operate internationally to share ideas and learn from each other’s successes and expertise. In this common endeavour, we can ensure that the sun becomes a secure and reliable source of energy for all, especially for the world’s underprivileged citizens.
“Realising One Sun One World One Grid
through interconnected green grids can be transformational, enabling all of us to meet the targets of the Paris Agreement to prevent dangerous climate change, to accelerate the clean energy transition, and to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. These efforts can stimulate green investments and create millions of good jobs. By sharing the sun’s energy, we can help to build a more peaceful and prosperous world.”
www.modernpowersystems.com | November/December 2021 | 15
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