GE Energy Advanced Inverter Design Matt Perkins, Sales Manager
Global solar landscape Annual Solar Installations (GW) $3.85 Module ASP ($/W) $1.70 $1.60 $1.35 $1.25 $1.15 70% Industry dynamics 11 9 11 12 14% CAGR German rush: FiT 34% fuels 6GW in 10 Customers accepting <8% IRRs in Germany ROW Americas Asia Europe 5 Spain 2 7 Ger. 4 Ger. 6 Ger. 4 Ger. 4 Ger. 4 Global demand will not absorb German decline until 12 Over-supply continues ASP 15% 10-11 Module Rev ($B) '08 '09 '10e '11e '12e '13e Source: GE Estimates 19 12 17 13 13 14 3% CAGR Mfg. cap. (GW) 6 10 12 15 17 22 ~4X % TF 18% 35% 2X Game-changing economics 2 Draft - Privileged and Confidential Prepared for the Review of Counsel
Renewables policy Many States driving solar / renewable requirements Policy Recent legislation 30% ITC with utility eligibility Option to take Treasury grant Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) States with RPS Solar Carveouts (11 + DC) States with RPS DG Carveouts (4) Mandatory RPS (28 + DC) Voluntary RPS (5) Considering RPS (2) Proposed legislation Florida RPS 20% by 2025 Federal RES 25% by 2021 3x DG multiplier Fed & State Government advocating Green Energy - GIC 3
GE Solar: full system breadth Modules Inverters Solar Systems Thin Film Leadership Investment in PrimeStar Solar, Inc - CdTe development company CIGS partnership R&D in multiple tech. at GE Global Research Centres Power Conversion GE Utility Scale Inverter Utilizing wind controls technology & reliability Grid-friendly differentiation Differentiating through low cost module & grid capabilities Utility Scale Power Plant Standardized & scalable Integrated grid controls Streamlined installation through modular design - GIC 2009 General Electric Company.
GE 1MW Brilliance PV Inverter Building system reliability & grid stability Utility scale product design Based on 1.5MW wind converter design 15,000+ units in the field 225+ million operating hours Extensive service network & monitoring capabilities Proven grid integration features Ride through (LVRT, ZVRT, HVRT) Active power management Voltage regulation & VAR support SunIQ plant controls & monitoring Two stage power conversion 480V out w/o transformer - Allows standard oil-filled transformers First stage array management Second stage grid connection Liquid cooling Sealed bridge and control cabinet Full rated power up to 50C Outdoor rated - no add l enclosure or environmental controls 5
Different fuel source variability similar grid considerations 20 Wind Speed m/s 15 10 5 Insolation (W/m^2) 1200 800 400 5 Elapsed time: 12 hours 0 Elapsed time: 12 hours Stochastic: many timescales (season, day, hour, minute) Power output dominated by day-night cycle, cloud cover System challenges: Unit commitment Load following Local challenges: Voltage regulation Disturbance response 6
Grid integration As renewable energy plants increase in size & number, they will: Have a greater impact on the grid; Displace other generation; Become essential to grid reliability; and Need to be more predictable during disturbances Requiring Transmission reinforcement Forecasting Operational flexibility Operating strategies Coordination of controls Modern grid functions Renewable energy must be a good citizen on the grid 7
Why plant level voltage control Simulated PV output variation over 12 hour period (10MW plant) Power Output: 10 Sunny Day v. Cloudy Day Without plant level control Voltage With plant level control 1.05 PV Power (0 10 MW) 7 AM to 7 PM Feeder Voltage (1.00 1.05 pu) 1.04 1.03 1.02 1.01 1.00 7 AM to 7 PM Feeder Voltage (1.00 1.05 pu) 7 AM to 7 PM 1.05 1.05 PV Power (0 10 MW) 7 AM to 7 PM 7:00 AM 11:00 AM 3:00 PM 7:00 PM Feeder Voltage (1.00 1.05 pu) 1.04 1.03 1.02 1.01 1.00 7 AM to 7 PM 1.04 Feeder Voltage (1.00 1.05 pu) 1.03 1.02 1.01 1.00 7 AM to 7 PM Plant level control addresses interactions 8 - GIC
SunIQ plant monitoring & control Integrated set of tools designed to enhance performance of solar plant: Real-time plant data visualization Real-time coordinated control of inverters to improve grid integration Data analysis and improved troubleshooting Performance like a conventional power plant 9
Inverter capabilities SolarRIDE-THRU Mandated for Wind & Solar in EU, Required for Wind in US Consistent with U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) Order 661-A Provides capability well beyond UL1741 requirements Low Voltage Ride Through (LVRT) High Voltage Ride Through (HVRT) Optional Zero Voltage Ride Through (ZVRT) Typical UL1741 Limits GE Solar Ride-Thru Capability SunFREE Reactive Power Reactive power even with no sun Smooth, fast voltage regulation through all operating conditions Provides reactive power even when inverters are not generating active power Provides grid benefits not possible with conventional generation, while mitigating adverse voltage impacts of off-line units due to no-sun conditions Can eliminate the need for grid reinforcement specifically designed for no-sun conditions May allow for more economic commitment of other generating resources to reduce the risk of voltage collapse 10
Active power controls Ramp rate control Limits the rate of change of MW to a defined value Reduces requirement on other generation to change output rapidly Power curtailment MW Control in addition to VAR control Caps the farm output at a certain max MW Helps respect system MW limits (eg: Transmission line Power transfer limit) 11
Increasing requirements necessary Wind interconnection requirements Increased penetration drives advanced requirements Voltage Response None / Fixed Power factor Dynamic voltage control Fault Response No ride thru (UL 1741) Zero Voltage Ride-thru (FERC661a) Plant Controls Solar today (N. America) EU leading w/ solar requirements Autonomous operation Coordinated controls 12
CAISO PV interconnection requirements Requirement CAISO Draft 4/26/10 GE Offering Power factor Power factor: 0.95 lag/lead measured at POI Available using GE Brilliance inverters and SunIQ. Default operating range 0.90 lag/lead Voltage regulation Automatically regulate voltage at the POI Available using GE Brilliance inverters and SunIQ Voltage and frequency ride-through Generator power management Interconnection application data Extend FERC 661a LVRT to include PV Compliance with existing WECC frequency ride-through requirements Active power management for ramp rate and over frequency control Ramp rate controls of 5%-20% of rated capacity per minute Extend WECC MORC 5% droop criteria to respond to over frequency Use of standard study models GE capabilities in both voltage and frequency ride-through well beyond these requirements Available using GE Brilliance inverters and SunIQ. PSLF model available GE meets CAISO interconnect requirements today 13