Demonstration of the use of flexible electrical demand to assist Electrical grid facilitate higher levels of renewable power

ended

Aughinish Alumina wish to install and operate a first of a kind High Pressure Electric Boiler Unit which will demonstrate decarbonisation of a high temperature energy plant. This project is a large scale pilot which will demonstrate the benefits of demand side frequency response to an electrical grid that is aiming to be a world leader in renewable generation. It has the potential to be scaled up within Aughinish to 10 times the size of this pilot project as well as numerous industries within Ireland & Europe that requires energy in the form of heat. The ability to create additional demand when levels of renewables are high will ensure that levels of curtailment of wind generation will reduce, whilst also reducing carbon emissions through displacement of fossil fuels such as gas & oil. This project is innovative as it provides additional benefits outside of carbon reductions. The electric boiler provides large scale grid services reducing curtailment on the grid and increasing the usage of renewable energy. The CO2 saving comes from the reduction of natural gas use on site and through providing system services that would otherwise be provided by fossil fuel generators. It?s flexibility will provide electrical grid operators with a service essential to maintain security and stability on a system with increasing levels of renewable generation. The technology once demonstrated can be scaled both larger and smaller with applications including but not limited to Pharmaceutical, Food, Oil & Gas and Chemicals. Aughinish have delivered many large projects and are uniquely positioned to deliver this project with extensive knowledge of the electricity market and the in house engineering capabilities to deliver the project. The project is technically ready, scalable, will reduce carbon emissions, allow greater levels of renewable electricity on the Irish power grid and help the electrical system operator maintain a stable power grid.