Grid connection and system services of a wave power plant - a case study

Grid integration aspects and system service provision possibilities are studied for a hypothetical wave power plant at a location off the west coast of Ireland. This wave power plant, consisting of eight wave energy converters, is based on the MegaRoller technology, an oscillating wave surge converter, which is developed by AW-Energy in Finland. Different cable topologies for the collection grid have been studied and compared with RMS simulations conducted in DIgSILENT PowerFactory. Power-variation-induced voltage variations have been studied for a range of short circuit ratio levels. The possibilities to provide fast frequency response services has been elaborated, where the hydraulic-accumulator-based energy storage of the MegaRoller provides a good basis for short-term power output boosts. Achievable payments for system service provision, according to the Irish payment scheme, have been calculated. This study is part of the MegaRoller EU Horizon 2020 project