National Grid plans to launch a tender for new inertia services next month for delivery from April.
Electricity system operator director, Fintan Slye, recently suggested that inertia has been “taken for granted” and will become more important as renewables penetration climbs and thermal plant, a traditional source of inertia, runs less frequently. He said a market-based solution is the ESO’s preferred approach.
As such, it has launched its ‘stability pathfinder’ and published a service outline. An invitation to tender will follow on 4 November. According to the outline, requirements include:
- Inertia + fast acting dynamic voltage + short circuit level
- Procuring up to a maximum of 25GVA seconds
- GB wide, >=132kV transmission & distribution connections (with effectiveness weighting)
- Zero MW output service – no payment made if generating
Launching the document, National Grid ESO head of networks, Craig Dyke said:
“The systems and processes we have in place to measure inertia are appropriate for the levels of wind and solar power currently in operation.
“However it’s important we plan for the future and embrace new technologies as we move towards our ambition of being able to operate the system carbon free by 2025.
“We believe our Stability Pathfinder is a step towards that aim and the first initiative of its kind anywhere in the world. We look forward to working with the market to implement the new solutions.”
Details here.
Related stories:
Fintan Slye: Inertia will become much more important
National Grid launches Mersey reactive power tender
National Grid signs deal to measure inertia
National Grid: Two generators cause big frequency drop
National Grid outlines plans to go 100 per cent renewables by 2025
Follow us at @EnergystMedia. For regular bulletins, sign up for the free newsletter.
