currENT welcomes the opportunity to provide input on the Spanish Network Development Plan 2021-2026 as part of this consultation. Making significant progress in this time period will be critical for integrating the additional 40 GW renewable generation that is planned, and ultimately achieving the 2030 target of 74% of generation from renewable energy sources. We believe that its ambition could be even better met in insisting more on the value add of Grid-Enhancing Technologies (GETs), which would further enhance the overall impact of the plan by acting as enablers of faster connection of renewables and delivery of larger infrastructure projects.

CurrENT proposes four key points for MITECOs and REE’s consideration:

1. GRID ENHANCING TECHNOLOGIES ARE READY FOR WIDE-SCALE IMPLEMENTATION IN SPAIN

currENT strongly supports the inclusion of multiple projects in the NDP 2021-2026 that involve Grid Enhancing Technologies (GETs)2, notably 80 DLR applications and greater use of power flow control solutions. However there is scope to further increase the use of GETs in the current and future NDPs, particularly those GETs which have higher TRLs and thus proven benefits.

2. INNOVATIVE NEW GRID SOLUTIONS MUST BE ADDED TO THE NETWORK PLANNING TOOLBOX

Given the 40 year plus lifetime of new grid assets, it is critical that the latest innovative and technological advancements are taken into account when planning new grids. currENT recommends that MITECO and REE review the processes for qualification of new technologiesthat have been proven in other geographies, to ensure that technologies which can deliver significant value to Spain in the long-term are sufficiently included and fairly considered as possible solutions as part of the network development plan process

3. RAPIDLY DEPLOYABLE SOLUTIONS ENABLE DELIVERY OF PROJECTS AND RENEWABLE INTEGRATION

Given the common delays associated with implementing new infrastructure projects due to permitting and public acceptance complexities, the value of rapidly deployable solutions must be recognised e.g. Dynamic Line Rating and modular power flow control solutions such as SSSC devices4. Rapidly deployable solutions can often be delivered in less than a year, leading to the quicker release of capacity and increased efficiency of the existing network. currENT recommends that MITECO and REE consider whether any of the existing projects identified in the NDP could be improved through using rapidly deployable solutions as an interim or enabling measure, or in some cases as a more optimal solution to part or all of the proposed project.

4. COMPLEMENTARY SOLUTIONS OPTIMISE USE OF THE EXISTING GRID 

currENT would like to highlight the complementarity of GETs, particularly in terms of maintaining network resilience, managing congestion and optimising the power flows across the network. By leveraging multiple GETs with different functionalities to meet a network need, in most cases the overall impact will be far greater than if only one technology was used in isolation.

See more detailed explanations in our full response here.