Figure 1. The keynote and panel speakers of CIGRE International Conference and AORC Technical Meeting 2019
Purnomo Yusgiantoro Center was invited to attend the CIGRE International Conference and AORC Technical Meeting 2019 on 25-28 March 2019 in Bali. CIGRE is a global community of power system experts founded in Paris. This year, CIGRE Indonesia National Committee is honored to become the host of the CIGRE Asia-Oceania Regional Council (AORC) conference. The event was attended by experts, key players and delegates of Asia-Oceania CIGRE members. This event’s objective was to address issues related to the topic of “Integration of Variable Renewable Generation into Power Systems: Challenges and Measures for Increasing its Penetration Level and Strengthening Cross Border Interconnection”.
The conference was opened by welcome notes from the chairman of Indonesia National Committee (NC), Dr. Herman Darnel Ibrahim. He sent his warmest greetings to all distinguished speakers and delegates. He hoped that this event could benefit all participants by gaining new knowledge and experience regarding the selected theme. The next welcome speech was presented by the Chairman of AORC, Prof. Akihiko Yokoyama who greeted all the participants and conveyed his sincere gratitude to the Indonesia National Committee for organizing the international conference.
The last speaker was Mr. Djisman Hutajulu, representing the Directorate General of Electricity (Ditjen Ketenagalistrikan) of the Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resource. Mr. Djisman, on behalf of Director General of Electricity, Ir. Rida Mulyana, M.Sc., highlighted the importance of a balanced Energy Security, Equity and Sustainability. He also mentioned the goal for the Government to gradually boost renewable energy (RE) in the power system by acknowledging the readiness of the electricity system, especially in integrating intermittent RE.
The panel discussion was conducted following the welcome notes to discuss issues surrounding the conference’s main theme. The speakers of the panel were Dr. Rob Stephen (President of CIGRE), Harris, S.T., M.T. (Director of Various New and Renewable Energy, MEMR), Ir. Syofvie F. Roekman, M.Sc (Director of Corporate Planning), Djoko Abumanan (Director of PT PLN (Persero) Business Region of East Java, Bali & Nusa Tenggara), Dr. Ing. Ralf Bergmann (High Volt) and S. Chandan (ABB).
Dr. Rob Stephen addressed the future of the grid with ten areas to focus, namely active distribution networks, massive exchange of information, integration of HVDC/power electronics, significant installation of storage, new systems operations/control, new concepts for protection, new concepts in planning, new tools for technical performance, increased use of existing infrastructure and new T&D developments and also stakeholder awareness. He highlighted markets distortion, uncertain power flow, as well as mobile and variable loads/generators would emerge in the future of power system.
Mr. Harris, in his presentation, mentioned several challenges of renewable infrastructure development in Indonesia, namely absence of smart grid to support intermittency of supply, needs of socialization and education to reduce community resistance on RE power plant construction, dependency on foreign technology, limited affordable domestic fund/soft loan and lack of infrastructure in the eastern Indonesia.
In addition, Mrs. Syofvie highlighted the requirement of the grid to integrate variable renewable energy, such as accurate weather forecast integration, intermittent anticipation (buffering) by installing AGC, battery storage and high ramping rate power plant, providing inertia resource from conventional power plant or virtual inertia, establishing the technical minimum loading for power plant and utilizing inverter features.
Mr. Joko talked about the opportunities for RE development in Indonesia. He mentioned that there are space for RE developments to meet the 23% target in 2025 and to increase the electrification ratio in Eastern Indonesia. Additionally, there are opportunities from possible development of hybrid generation, application of smart grids and control to integrate variable RE, waste energy project, more competitive PV and battery technology and co-firing technology from biofuels.
Mr. Ralf shared his experience of converting the German transmission grid with long HVDC cable lines to integrated renewable generations. He highlighted the importance of consistent quality assurance to increase the availability of the power system component and the right strategy for fault location, monitoring and diagnostics. Mr. Chandan showed recent technology advance used to create a stronger, smarter and greener grid in the future. He pointed out that digitalization solution, including digital grid, will enable more flexible and real-time grid management.
