Grid Modernization and Renewable Energy Building Solutions

The Government of Trinidad and Tobago is encouraging the renewable energy drive. If this comes into reality, then customers would expect that excess generation delivered into the grid would serve as a means of revenue generation. To meet these needs, the very architecture of the distribution grid has to change and adopt new technologies, ways of planning, and ways of operating. RIC must strive to satisfy and even encourage independent power producers, even at the expense of the grid’s abilities to accommodate the new policies.

Buildings within Trinidad and Tobago account for approximately 40% of energy consumption; therefore, cost-effective renewable energy-supply solutions for buildings will greatly contribute to energy efficiency.

Power Quality Disturbances and Mitigations Solutions

The increased use of Power Electronic Devices within all sectors of the power system is greatly deteriorating power quality. Problems due to poor power quality include mal-operation of sensitive equipment, protective devices and communication systems. The injection of renewable energy systems within the power distribution system would further intensify power quality disturbances. Assessment of magnitude and severity of power quality problems for determination of type and rating of filter applicable within a plant system must be enumerated.

Several solutions comprising passive, active and hybrid filters have been evaluated to mitigate against the varying level of power quality disturbances within residential, commercial, industrial and power distribution systems.

Improving System Reliability and Resiliency within Power Distribution Systems

Power systems must be capable of minimizing the amount of power disruptions and permit quick recovery following a blackout. The aging power system infrastructures within the Caribbean region within recent times have been faced with rapid increases in customer demand and severe weather conditions, greatly intensifying the impact of major interruptions. 

Distribution systems face many challenges, thereby giving greater impetus to the need for new attributes and technical solutions, in order to be resilient under low-probability, high-consequence events due to natural disasters. Current technology trends include the development of more efficient, reliable, and cost-effective renewable generation and distributed energy resources (DERs) as well as energy storage technologies. These together with distribution automation offer significant opportunities for realizing a sustainable energy future.