Considering the increasing demand for green electricity, the rising number of restrictions imposed on grid connection conditions for new projects becomes a serious issue. The solution — so-called cable pooling, i.e. a concept to share energy infrastructure between wind and PV farms — may soon be implemented. This is a great leap for RES development in Poland, translating into substantial increase in energy security of the state. Moreover, it will streamline investments in new sources, supplementing the already existing base, and ensure appropriate supply of green electricity for industry at a local level. The solution has already been proven in Denmark and the Netherlands. Now it may bring benefits also in Poland.
Since renewable energy sources became an indispensable part of the energy mix, companies from the sector are working hard to alter their strategies, accelerating green transition. Alas, new renewable energy source investments face insufficient grid capacity, which will only increase in the future.
The solution for investors willing to build subsequent PV or wind farms may be cable pooling, i.e. the use transmission capacity secured for a previously built wind farm to launch a PV installation at the same site. Such a combination may constitute the biggest impulse for the production and distribution of clean electricity, contributing to energy transition.
“Cable pooling, in particular between wind and PV, is a proven way not only to unlock the capacity to connect subsequent installations to the grid in areas with no available connection capacity, but also to improve power grid balancing by smoothing out production profiles in a given connection point in different periods. Implementation of solutions enabling renewable energy source installations to share connection infrastructure will therefore enable further development of the RES sector and contribute to the safe operation of the power grid, crucial for the achievement of Poland’s climate targets and reduction of electricity prices,” said Janusz Gajowiecki, President of the Polish Wind Energy Association.
The solution may translate into savings that every Polish citizen will see in their wallet. Due to optimisation of allocation of costly cable capacity, cable pooling will push electricity tariffs down. Electricity vendors will also benefit — with the currently increasing pace of RES development, shortages in capacity of the existing power grid are more and more apparent. Simply put, the number of electricity sources is increasing, but with few connection options the developers have to face long lead times and high grid connection costs, By sharing a single connection line between variable sources, operators will have stable energy supply.
Cable pooling is most effective when used with sources exhibiting different operational characteristics, in particular PV and wind. Usually, when the wind blows, there is no sun, and vice versa. Additionally, on average high wind speed occurs in the night when no solar electricity is produced. This results in power infrastructure being used below its capacity. Moreover, cable pooling enables optimum use of solar and wind energy by sharing a single connection line. This leads to less energy losses and more stable supply. Such solutions have already been implemented in European electricity markets, including in Denmark and the Netherlands.
The “More RES in the Grid” report by PWEA and Lublin University of Technology demonstrates that sharing of connection infrastructure between different installations or entities should result in improved operational efficiency of existing grid infrastructure, allowing for increase in installed capacity of renewable energy sources. Authors of the report indicate that to harmonise the approach of particular distribution grid operators to cable pooling it is necessary to implement a legal framework. Harmonised national criteria related to connection infrastructure sharing will enable a non-discriminatory use of the solution by stakeholders throughout the country.
The government has been working on appropriate legal changes for some time now, with public consultations taking place. Therefore, the entire RES sector and industry is counting that the regulations could be effective already before the parliamentary holiday.
The changes are supported by experts and business alike. “Proper regulations on cable pooling will enable fast construction of at least 5–7 GW of PV and wind sources without the investors having to wait for connection decisions and without excessive burden for the power system. Country-wide this may yield as much as 12 TWh of inexpensive, green electricity. Some reports demonstrate that the potential of cable pooling in Poland is much higher, reaching as much as 25 GW of new capacity,”, ZPP position paper reads.