ABB microgrid to power Aruba

Technology company ABB has agreed to provide an advanced microgrid to WEB Aruba, the main power utility serving the Dutch Caribbean island of Aruba. A popular tourist destination, Aruba is just 32 km long and 10 km across its widest point, with a land area of 179 km² and a population of about 103,000 inhabitants.

Aruba has a peak demand of 134 MW currently met by a mix of thermal, wind and solar photovoltaic generation. Now, WEB Aruba has set a goal to generate half its annual average energy supplied from renewable energy sources and the other half from alternative fuels by 2020, supporting the government’s vision to become completely fossil-fuel-free.

ABB’s microgrid solution allows for integration of a complex energy generation portfolio and maximises the use of renewable energy, while optimising operations in real time. Using 24-hour forecasts of both renewable output and system load, the system will help plan operations and adjust dispatch in real time to accommodate changes in renewable output, load or generation availability. This leads to a more automated grid.

At the heart of the solution is an advanced control system with dynamic load shedding capability. When major system transients occur that the generation and storage are not able to accommodate, the system immediately calculates the minimum load shed required to stabilise frequency. It also ensures the distribution of load shed events so that no critical facilities are impacted.

“This innovative microgrid solution will support the island of WEB Aruba to integrate more renewables and maintain reliability and efficiency of power supplies to meet increasing demand for electricity,” said Massimo Danieli, head of ABB’s Grid Automation business. “The embedded software, automation and control technologies will also facilitate 24-hour forecasts and enable a stronger, smarter and greener grid.”

“We’re eager to continue developing future projects together with ABB as they have enabled us in achieving our goals by introducing new renewables, new technologies and by adding value to our island’s economy,” said Francis Ras, division manager technical affairs at WEB Aruba.

Images ©ABB.