Page 10 - CE JOURNAL FEB 2024 ISSUE 20

WHERE WE ARE NOW?
We have seen a significant growth in the number of commissioned Self-Generating systems on the Grid. As
of October 2023, we have approximately commissioned 770 Self-Generating systems. This is significant as
there was only a meager number of 120 commissioned systems in 2015, representing a 541.67% jump over
the span of 8 years. Of the 770 commissioned Self-Generating systems, 746 are Net Billing Customers and
the remaining 24 are Auxiliary Connections. There are currently no Power Wheeling customers.

Unfortunately, the numbers quoted above are just not the true number of Self-Generators on the Grid. The
numbers mentioned above have only factored in the persons who have gone through the correct process of
applying for a license from the Ministry and then presenting that license to the Jamaica Public Service Co. Ltd.
The ease at which Solar PV Systems can be installed and interconnected to the Grid have resulted in many
persons doing just that, without acquiring the Government Electrical Regulator certification or a license from
the Ministry of Science and Technology, and Transport (MSETT).

Figure 1. Chart showing the number of customers associated with each Self Generator type

CHALLENGES FACED ON THE GRID
The Jamaica Public Service Co. Ltd must know and account for all power generating systems on the grid so
that it can aid in the proper and safe planning, operation, and maintenance of the Grid. In addition to this,
MSETT would not have had visibility nor the ability to monitor or track licenses.

Unlicensed Self Generators pose a risk to the Grid in various forms. These include:
1. Worker Safety – Line workers are at risk of electrocution from uncertified and unlicensed systems.
2. Situational Awareness – No knowledge of where these systems are located, their ratings and the
parameters of operation for real-time decision support.
3. Power Quality – The distribution network is subject to voltage swings and power surges due to the
natural intermittence of some renewable sources. Harmonics are also highly likely due to fast-
switching inverters.
4. System Frequency – The behaviour and the governor response of the system changes.
5. Unaccounted Energy and unpredictable power demand- Without knowledge of these systems,
power systems models and simulations will not yield useful results when using this for planning or
operation.

10