NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Islands and Our Renewable 

Energy Future

WREF 2012 Conference

May 16, 2012 Denver, CO

NREL/PR-7A40-55060
2

NREL Snapshot

• Leading clean-energy innovation for 34 years

• 1,740 employees working in a living model of 

sustainable energy

• Owned by the U.S. Department of Energy

• Operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy

Only US Laboratory Dedicated Solely to 

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
3

Why Islands? Motivation

“Islanders” “Continentals”

• High and variable energy 

costs

• Excellent access to 

renewables

• Visible externalities

• Vulnerability to climate 

change

• Demonstration of highpenetration renewables

• Development of nextgeneration technologies

• Proof that energy 

transformation is possible
4

NREL’s Island Work

4

image courtesy NASA
5

NREL’s Island Work - Panelists

5

image courtesy NASA
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Marketing Strategies for High 

Contribution Renewables in 

Islanded Power Systems

WREF 2012 Conference

May 16, 2012 Denver, CO

E. Ian Baring-Gould, NREL
7

Wide Range of Power System Options

Renewable power system can be used to cover a 

wide range of needs, including: 

• Dedicated Use: Power being used at point 

sources without regulation

• Small or Simple Systems: Power systems 

for individual buildings and dispersed generation 

where high level of reliability is not required

• Community Power Systems: Utility 

provided power to larger communities or group of 

buildings with larger loads.

• Wind-Diesel Systems: Large communities 

or facilities with large loads.

• Integrated Systems: Large islanded systems 

incorporating conventional and large scale 

renewable generation.

Photo Credit: Kent Bullard
8

High Contribution Renewables...

• dos not require additional capacity

• does change the way that the balance of system capacity is utilized

• does require expanded system flexibility

• There are a number of ways from the demand and supply side to help 

support this flexibility, with expanded use of inelegant grids important
9

Current Status of High Contribution Renewable Tech

Recent oil cost variability has caused many nations, states, and organizations 

to look at options to reduce dependence on diesel fuel for power generation 

Rapidly expanding market for large scale renewable-diesel systems:

• ~40 projects operating or in construction with additional projects being developed

• Operating projects in almost every region of the world

• Most projects are smaller in size (2 MW or less) with expanded interest in larger 

integrated island systems

• Interest growing worldwide but strong interest in US (Alaska), Australia, Canada, 

Caribbean, and Pacific Islands

Heat

Electricity

Transport

% of energy usage in the rural community of 

Akutan, Alaska by sector

But the challenges continue...

• Electricity is only part of the energy question

• High capital costs

• Lack of understanding of the technology

• Requires a rethinking of the grid and controls
10

NWTC – 2MW+

NREL’s Energy Systems Integration Facilities

ESIF 

1kW-2MW

DERTF

1kW-200kW

The existing and developing research facilitates 

at NREL provides a unique international asset 

for energy systems integration R&D, testing, 

and analysis at a wide range of scales.

TTF

VTIF

• High, medium & Low 

voltage testing grids

• Indoor and outdoor test 

areas

• Dedicated control and 

product test capabilities

• High Performance 

computing 

• Multi-system integration 

and testing capabilities
11

For More Information:

Energy Systems Integration Facility

http://www.nrel.gov/eis/facilities_esif.html

Wind / Diesel Overview

http://apps1.eere.energy.gov/tribalenergy/pdfs/wind_akwd04_basics.pdf
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Inter-Island Transmission and 

Interconnection

WREF 2012 Conference

May 16, 2012 Denver, CO

Vahan Gevorgian, NREL
13

Benefits of Island Interconnections

• Deliver lower cost power from one island to another

• Transmit renewable generated energy to an island that otherwise 

does not have access to less expensive renewable power

• Increased reliability, better power quality, better hurricane 

resilience

• Reduced spinning reserve requirements, sharing frequency 

regulation without adding new generation, lower operating costs

• Integrated fiber-optic cables
14

Examples of Case Studies

• OWITS (DOE/HECO/DBEDT)

• Caribbean Grid (World Bank)

• Puerto Rico – USVI - BVI (DOE)

• Nevis – USVI – Puerto Rico (U.S. Dept. of State / OAS)

• Puerto Rico – Dominican Republic (World Bank)
15

Technology Advances and Technical Barriers

• Submarine power transmission has been around for more 

than a century, significant offshore wind power experience 

• Tradeoffs between HVDC vs. HVAC 

o Transmission capacity

o Cable length

o Water depths

• Deepest existing cable is only 1650m

• HVDC has many advantages over HVAC

• Multi-terminal HVDC is an existing technology

• Historically, geothermal power was the main driver for inter- island transmission

• Wind, PV, LNG generation can be drivers as well 

• Environmental impacts and permitting require detailed 

studies

Caribbean bathymetry 

(less than 2000 m) and 

slopes (less than 200)
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NWTC Test Site

Siemens

2.3 MW

Alstom

3 MW

GE

1.5 MW

Gamesa

2 MW

Research Turbines

2 x 750 kW 

PV Array

1.1 MW

2.5 MW

dynamometer

• Total of 11 MW variable renewable generation currently at NWTC test site

• There are many small wind turbines (under 100 kW) installed as well 

5 MW

dynamometer

under construction
17

NWTC New Testing Capabilities – Dual Bus System 

2.5 MW Dynamometer

(exisiting) 5 MW Dynamometer

(under development)

NWTC Wind Turbines

1MW PV Array

(existing)

Permanent 

Storage 

Testing

Facilities* Controllable Grid Interface (CGI) for 

Grid and Fault Simulation

Switchgear 

Building

Xcel

Substation

Permanent (facility)

energy storage *

Temporary 

(mobile) 

storage testing 

facilities

CGI Bus

Xcel Bus

(7 MVA - under development)

*Permanent storage facility concept is under evaluation

13.8 kV 115 kV

10 MW line capacity

(future upgrades up to 70 MW under study)

GE 1.5 MW

Siemens 2.3 MW

Alstom 3 MW

Gamesa 2 MW

•MW-scale variable generation (wind and PV)

•Mix of modern variable speed wind turbine electrical topologies 

•Different fault behavior

•Different voltage distortion spectrums

•Different control architectures

•Different mechanical inertia

•These conditions create unique opportunity for testing 

combinations of renewable technologies and energy storage
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For More Information:

National Wind Technology Center (NWTC)

http://www.nrel.gov/wind/

Oahu Wind Integration and Transmission Study

http://www.uwig.org/owits_summary_report.pdf

Puerto Rico / USVI Transmission

http://www.edinenergy.org/pdfs/51294.pdf

http://www.viwapa.vi/AboutUs/Projects/ProjectDetails/11-08-02/USVIBVI-Puerto_Rico_Interconnection.aspx
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Hawaii Electric Vehicles

WREF 2012 Conference

May 16, 2012 Denver, CO

Ken Kelly, NREL
20

Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative

- Regional-focused Energy Strategies

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2009 Fuel Use, Million Gallons

Transportation: Jet fuel

Transportation: Gasoline & Ethanol

Transportation: Diesel & Biodiesel

Electricity: Diesel & Biodiesel

Electricity: Fuel Oil & Naphtha

32%

33%

35%

32%

33%

35%
21

Plug-in Electric Vehicles on Islands

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Opportunities

 Climate & driving limits

 Transportation fuel diversification

 Connection to smart grid and high-penetration 

renewables

– Load demand management

– Grid integration – peak shaving, energy storage

 Vehicle performance and efficiency

 Synergies with tourism industry

Potential challenges

 Market penetration – cost, availability, and vehicle 

turnover

 Establishing EVSE – home and public charging

 Grid impacts, control systems

 Education and outreach

 Range limitations (pure EV)
22

Hawaii’s EV Programs

22

State EV-friendly policies

 EVs to park for free at state and county facilities, 

 EVs access to Hawaii State HOV lanes

 Required EV Parking spaces set asides w/ chargers

 State and county agencies to Lead-by-Example in 

purchasing EVs

 Homeowner associations must not ban EVSE

 Active engagement with EV industry

 Utility off-peak EV charging rate demo

EV-Ready Grants & Rebates (ARRA funded)

 $2.6M to establish state-wide charging infrastructure

 $4500 EV and charger rebates

Expanding EV Charger (EVSE) Network

 Level 3 fast chargers

Smart Grid and Micro-grid demo projects
23

Hawaii’s EV Grid Integration

23

US-Japan Maui Smart Grid

• integration of variable renewable energy resources on 

islanded grid with widespread adoption of electric vehicles

• International cooperation – public/private partnership

• Key features:

– 200 EVs with home charging + public fast charger network

– Smart meters and appliances

– Integrated EMS, DMS, and μDMS

– EV Energy Control Center

– RE intermittency / demand response

– Excess renewable energy

Electric Vehicle Grid Integration 

focuses on the interface, 

integration, and interoperability

of electrified vehicles, energy 

storage systems, and the evolving 

smart, renewable grid. 

Hawaii – Korea Smart Grid Proposal

- Collaboration with hotel industry on Oahu

- focus on energy use in large commercial 

buildings with integrated renewable energy 

and electric vehicle charging
24

2010

24

V2Campus Distribution Electrical & Thermal Analysis

Battery Ownership Model Hardware and Communications Testing

NREL EV – Grid Integration Resources
25

A

Mahalo nui loa!

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Personal mobility

Bicycling...

Daunting challenge...

But very hopeful – new generation, commitment and hard work

Pulling together

Artist: Jean Charlot, Chief’s Canoe (1956), Hawaii Convention Center
26

For More Information:

Hawaii Clean Energy Initiative

http://www.hawaiicleanenergyinitiative.org/

NREL Advanced Vehicles and Fuels

http://www.nrel.gov/vehiclesandfuels/
NREL is a national laboratory of the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, operated by the Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC.

Integrated deployment

WREF 2012 Conference

May 16, 2012 Denver, CO

Misty Conrad
28

Clean Energy Transformational Change 

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Develop an Approach That Provides:

• A comprehensive & aggressive method to address clean energy

• A focus on transformational, systemic change

• A multi-dimensional, multi-technology approach to energy sources, 

generation, and end-use

• An approach that addresses cross-technology linkages and gaps

• A model for the rest of the world to follow

• A vehicle to accelerate market adoption of clean energy solutions

• A way to integrate DOE’s current deployment efforts

Integrated Deployment’s mission is to accelerate market adoption of 

alternative energy solutions to power our homes, businesses and vehicles 

through a comprehensive and aggressive approach.
29

Situational Assessment

– Constituent Analysis

– Resource Assessment

– Barriers Assessment

Policy Opportunities

– Codes and Standards

– Utility Programs

– Legislation

– Utility Regulations

Economic Evaluations

– Financing Options

– Economic Development

– Business Case 

Development

Communication & Outreach

– Stakeholder Development

– Public Information

– Workforce Development

Combining Technology Solutions, Deployment Strategies & 

Leveraging Partnerships

29

Technologies Deployment Strategies Partnerships

Leadership

 Vision & Goals

 Commitment & Dedication

 Strategy & Planning

 Political Commitment

Decision-making

 Drive policy change

 Drive regulatory change

 Reduce business risks

Funding

 Innovative

 Motivated

Will to Change

 Buy-in

 Engagement

 Adoption

Efficiency

– Residential

– Commercial

– Industrial

Renewable Generation

– Solar

– Wind

– Geothermal

– Hydro / Wave / OTEC

Renewable Fuels

– Biomass

– Hydrogen / Fuel Cells

Transportation

– Efficient Vehicles

– Electric Vehicles

– Alt. Fuel Vehicles

Grid System

– Transmission

– Distribution

– Controls
30

Power 

Developers

Fuel 

Developers

Utilities

Education 

Organizations

Consumer 

Interests

Transportation 

Providers / End 

Users

Federal 

Agencies

State & Local 

Government

Builders / Energy 

End Users 

Financiers / 

Investors

Electricity 

Generation & 

Delivery

Fuel 

Sources 

& 

Delivery

Transportation 

End Use

Building& 

Industry 

End Use

Policy & Analysis

Planning & Management

Partnership Building & Communication

Project Development & Finance

Land Owners / 

Developers

Building & Vehicle 

Owners 

Integrated Deployment Model
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Implementation Approach & Value Proposition

Build Stakeholder 

Partnerships

•Vision

•Commitment

•Education & Outreach

Establish Analytical 

Framework

•Macro Analysis

•Baseline Development

•Modeling

•Goal setting

•Plan Development

Advance Energy 

Policy

•Evaluate Policy Options

•Evaluate Regulatory 

Options

•Quantify & Qualify 

Option Impacts

Apply the Business 

Perspective

•Financing models

•Business Case Analysis

•Barrier Reduction

•Risk Mitigation

•Technical and 

economic viability

Get Early Successes

• Hardware Deployed

• Technology 

demonstrations

• Replication models

Integrated Deployment’s Unique Value Proposition: 

Integrated Deployment utilizes a holistic approach to inform energy 

communities who are committed to implementing transformational energy 

system change to achieve an affordable and sustainable clean energy future
32

An Aggressive Deployment Approach Can be 

Taken at various scales

Community/City

NREL is leading DOE support 

in rebuilding New Orleans 

and Greensburg, KS in the 

most energy efficient and 

renewable way possible

State

NREL is leading DOE efforts 

in Hawaii and Alaska in their 

pursuit for efficient and 

renewable solutions to reduce 

dependence on fossil fuel

Nation

NREL is leading DOE efforts in 

support of the international 

partnership through Energy 

Development in Island Nations, 

providing comprehensive energy 

solutions to island nations. 

Federal site

NREL is leading DOE support to 

the Department of Defense and 

National Science Foundation to 

pursue comprehensive solutions to 

energy independence on military 

installations and reduced 

emissions in our polar regions. 
33

For More Information:

Integrated Deployment Model Paper

http://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy11osti/49230.pdf

EERE’s Deployment Website

http://www1.eere.energy.gov/commercialization/deployment.html
34

Thank you

Questions / Discussion