Transforming global energy use to create a clean, prosperous, and secure low-carbon future.

CONNECTIONSBEYONDTHEWIRESKaitlyn Bunker, PhD | 01 December 2016 | Isolated Power Systems Connect

SHARING INSIGHTS FROM ENERGY TRANSITIONS IN THE CARIBBEAN

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ELECTRICAL CONNECTIONS Connections

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PEOPLE CONNECTIONS Connections

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MAKING CONNECTIONS ROCKY MOUNTAIN INSTITUTE – CARBON WAR ROOM

Connections

RMI-CWR MISSION MISSION STATEMENT: TO DRIVE THE EFFICIENT A N D R E S T O R AT I V E U S E O F R E S O U R C E S

Rigorous technical and

economic analysis

Convening and facilitating conversations with the right stakeholders

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PLANNING

ISLANDS ENERGY PROGRAM

Signing of IRP document in Saint Vincent

Convening of women in energy in Aruba

Fostering knowledge sharing through CARILEC Renewable Energy Community (CAREC) and the Women in Renewable Energy network (WIRE).

Example solar PV project

Identifying and advancing low risk renewable energy & energy efficiency projects.

PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN RMI-CWR AND CLINTON CLIMATE INITIATIVE (CCI)

Connections

PROJECTS CAPACITY BUILDING

Developing a blueprint for the energy future through Integrated Resource Planning (IRP) processes.

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•  Studied Electrical Engineering at Michigan Technological University

•  Completed BS, MS, and PhD degrees

PERSONAL INTRODUCTION MY BACKGROUND AND CURRENT WORK AT RMI-CWR

Connections

TitleEDUCATION AND BACKGROUND CURRENT WORK

•  Senior Associate at RMI-CWR

•  Islands Energy Program – leading energy modeling and technical analysis for IRP planning processes, and modeling for small island microgrid opportunities

•  Received U.S. National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship

•  Completed a summer fellowship through NSF with HOMER Energy

TOPICS FOR TODAY CONNECTIONS FROM THE CARIBBEAN •  Saint Lucia case study •  Key lessons learned

CONNECTIONS FROM LARGER POWER SYSTEMS •  Key themes observed •  Opportunities for isolated systems to lead

the way

CONNECTIONS FROM THE CARIBBEAN

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SAINT LUCIA: LOCATION IN THE EASTERN CARIBBEAN Connections from the Caribbean

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SAINT LUCIA: BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT Connections from the Caribbean

Population: 180,000 Land Size: 238 mi2 / 616 km2

Electric Utility: LUCELEC Peak Load: 60 MW Current Generation: Diesel

Cul-de-Sac: critical generation

Vieux Fort: critical transportation

Castries: critical communications

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Integrated Approach

Long Term Planning

SAINT LUCIA: APPROACH TO ENERY TRANSITION Connections from the Caribbean

The Government and LUCELEC came together to complete an Integrated Resource Plan as part of the National Energy Transition Strategy (NETS).

The first utility-scale PV project is being developed

near the international airport (3 MW installed capacity).

Near Term Projects

The National Utilities Regulatory Commission

(NURC) was established in 2016 to regulate the

electricity and water sectors.

New Regulations

Saint Lucia is working in several key areas to move towards their goals for renewable energy and energy efficiency. RMI-CWR works with the Government & LUCELEC on two of these.

NETS

SolarProject

NURC

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SAINT LUCIA: 3 MW SOLAR PV PROJECT Connections from the Caribbean

First utility-scale solar PV project, 3 MW by the airport RMI-CWR’s main role was to de-risk the project

Owner/Developer

Owner’sRep,ManagerofRFPProcess,LiaisonbetweenLUCELEC&Bidders

TechnicalAdvisor,AuthorofRFPandTechnicalSpecificaJons

FURTHER, FASTER, TOGETHER

RO

CKY MOUNTAIN

INSTIT UTE

WA R R O O M

CARBON

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3 MW SOLAR PV PROJECT – LESSONS LEARNED

•  Permitting requirements

•  Early assessment of site conditions

•  Need to make site boundaries obvious

•  The first utility-scale RE project in Saint Lucia is underway due to the approach taken

•  The project will continue despite government shifts

•  Site visit

•  Partnership approach

•  Open procurement process

Connections from the Caribbean

CHALLENGES BENEFITS KEY TAKEAWAYS

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SAINT LUCIA: NATIONAL ENERGY TRANSITION STRATEGY Connections from the Caribbean

Included the country’s first ever Integrated Resource Plan Developed by us as an objective 3rd party in partnership with Government and LUCELEC

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SAINT LUCIA: IRP PROCESS Connections from the Caribbean

Generate&CollectIdeas

DevelopIni>alScenarios

Refine&Down-SelectScenarios

DeepInves>ga>ononFinalScenarios

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SELECTION OF SCENARIOS TO TEST Connections from the Caribbean

Hybrid

Distributed

CentralizedOwnership

DecentralizedOwnership

Conven>onal Renewable

FossilFuelOnly

IPPThermalGeothermalIPP

SolarPV

Wind

Storage

U>lity-Owned

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INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN RESULTS Connections from the Caribbean

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INTEGRATED RESOURCE PLAN RESULTS Connections from the Caribbean

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SAINT LUCIA NETS – LESSONS LEARNED Connections from the Caribbean

A third party is key An inclusive process is necessary Lowering and stabilizing electricity rates is possible Utility involvement is essential Energy storage has a key role

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LESSONS LEARNED – ISLANDS HAVE A LOT IN COMMON Connections from the Caribbean

One example: Saint Vincent & the Grenadines and Turks & Caicos Islands both have multiple islands that are electrically separate, and served by the local utility company.

Bequia

Canouan

Mayreau

UnionIsland

Mus>que

SaintVincent

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LESSONS LEARNED – ISLANDS ARE EACH UNIQUE Connections from the Caribbean

One example: San Andres and Providencia, Colombia have different needs for stakeholder engagement than other islands might.

CONNECTIONS FROM LARGER POWER SYSTEMS

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THEME OF INCLUSION Connections from Larger Power Systems

Finding a transition that will benefit all Finding a way to include all in the process Example: Fresno, California

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TRANSITIONS HAPPENING OVER TIME Connections from Larger Power Systems

A transition to implementing increased energy efficiency and renewable energy does not happen overnight Denmark and other European nations are demonstrating the potential for success when a transition is implemented strategically year by year

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GOING BEYOND TECHNICAL Connections from Larger Power Systems

These transitions are often way more than just the technical considerations Example: Upper Peninsula, Michigan

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OPPORTUNITY FOR ISOLATED POWER SYSTEMS TO LEAD Connections from Larger Power Systems

Along with the electricity sector, islands can lead the way in a transformation of mobility

kbunker@rmi.org|1-303-567-8583