Transmission planning, flexibility measures and renewables integration for ireland power system

The Irish power system has proposed challenging renewable energy (mainly wind generation) targets for 2020. Given that much of the wind generation will be connected at distribution level, network development at both distribution and transmission level is a key requirement for both the transmission system operators (TSO) and distribution system operators (DSO) on the system. This has involved the analysis of a wide range of technical options, including undergrounding, DC connections and series compensation options, supported by a co-ordinated public engagement programme. Incentivising system flexibility in the form of new ancillary services associated with system ramping, synchronous inertia and dynamic reactive power are also being pursued, and are being pushed towards implementation. The experience learned from the Irish system is highlighted, indicating the solutions which have ultimately been proposed, and remaining challenges for the future.