Diesel Generated Demand Side Unit Capacity Will Equal Two Moneypoint Units by 2022
A Demand Side Unit (DSU) consists of one or more individual demand sites that we can dispatch as if it was a generator. An individual demand site is typically a medium to large industrial premises. In Ireland, 540 MW of DSU capacity cleared the 2019/2020 T-1 Capacity Market auction held in December 2018 and 620MW successfully cleared the 2022/2023 T-4 Capacity Auction held in March 2019. Industrial generation refers to generation, usually powered by diesel engines, located on industrial or commercial premises, which acts as on-site supply during peak demand and emergency periods [Eirgrid Report]
It is a remarkable fact that as more intermittent renewables are integrated into the grid, more industrial sites are relying on diesel generators for their electricity requirements. By 2022, there will be 620MW, equivalent to two of the three Moneypoint coal powered units. There has been a lot of negative commentary written about Moneypoint and the evils of coal power in recent years , but where has been the outrage written about the rise of diesel generation? Because such demand side generation is off the grid, it is not reflected in the official fuel mix reports, so the media and the "experts" are none the wiser. Hence, why I started this blog six years ago.
This is to be expected when the basic requirements to justify this crazy wind program are ignored. When you find out that the great idea that you thought would work does not work.With 2 competing objectives keeping the grid operating and reducing grid generated CO². Both being mutually exclusive. You end achieving only one the most important objective. Which is keeping the Grid operational. As if the grid collapses it could be down for weeks . With massive expense in repairs. Use the EWIC importing to
ReplyDeletereduce the CO² wind turbines failed to reduce . The whole renewable program is a joke and a disaster.
Demand side units and customer load shedding are excellent examples of off-balance sheet energy accounting to obscure the increasingly flaky state of our national electricity supply system. As I recall, the proposed Apple data centre in Athenry included a set of 64 x 1MW backup diesel generators, a.k.a. demand side units.
ReplyDeleteThe late David Mackay quantified each element of supply and demand in his book "Sustainable Energy - Without the Hot Air". His conclusion is that the only option is nuclear if we are not prepared to forgo our consumption based lifestyles. Book available FOC at https://www.withouthotair.com/download.html
It will be interesting to see how we cope as we move from petrol/diesel cars to EVs. Will people risk being late for appointments or work because their EV is unusable because it has just contributed its charge as a virtual DSU when the wind drops? Or will they opt out and become another burden on a creaking network?