Variable Speed Diesel and Natural Gas Generation for 100% Renewables Integration
Today’s sophisticated microgrids are challenged by operating with 125-year-old synchronous generation technology. Complex systems, controls, and storage are required to maintain grid stability when integrating high penetration renewables. Using power electronics to enable Variable Speed Generation (VSG) optimizes efficiency by allowing the generator’s engine to operate at optimal speeds for any load and maintains microgrid stability at any renewable penetration by producing power through a back to back converter platform.
This presentation discusses technology advances that eliminate the need for storage to provide grid stability for high penetration renewables, therefore significantly lowering the levelized cost of energy.
We will discuss the results of the Waterloo Institute for Sustainable Energy report, “Feasibility of Variable Speed Generators for Canadian Arctic Communities”. The report demonstrates how the use of converter-based generation significantly lowers emissions, fuel consumption and provides the lowest LCOE for remote northern community renewable integration.
We will also review the results from a recent installation of a 590kW VSG installation in the community of Aklavik Northwest Territories Canada.
- Understand the benefits of decoupling Engine speed from frequency
- How converter-based generation enables high penetration renewables
- Understand the potential for high transient response and sub 10 seconds for natural gas generators
- Understand how variable speed generation reduces engine damage and maintenance costs
Biography
Paul Pauze
CEO & President, Innovus Power Inc.
Paul Pauze is the Vice President of Business Development and Sales for Innovus Power Inc., a North American company who has developed the first microgrid control system with commercial, primary power variable speed generator (VSG).
Prior to joining Innovus in 2016, Paul was the founder and President of SunRise Power Corp. a leading Ontario solar manufacturer and engineering firm from 2009-2015 specializing in commercial rooftop solar PV systems. SunRise was Ontario’s first-string inverter manufacturer and delivered the provinces first commercial rooftop racking systems.
Before joining the renewable industry, Paul spent many years in manufacturing with General Electric in Peterborough Ontario, in a number of rolls from Engineering Manager, Lean Leader to Plant Manager.
Paul has been a professional engineer for 20+ years, and a member of the Ontario Society of Professional Engineers holding a Bachelor of Science in Electro-Mechanical Engineering from Queens University where Paul started his career in renewables as Electrical Manager of the Solar Vehicle program leading the team to a top 5 at SunRayce 95.