One for you Roger Hollies i suspect to show what the BESS response was. The big issue we would highlight is the clear growing number of these trip events (more interconnectors of a more unstable nature?), and how close these frequency drops are getting to the minimum operating levels of 49.5Hz, blasting through the operational minimum target of 49.8Hz. Far be it for us to tell National Grid ESO how to manage risk, but it feels like the increased number of times this is happening is making the likelihood of a major event worryingly likely. Surely a 49.6Hz event should be a 3SD+ event happening at most once a year or so? Allowing the system to get to this level multiple times a year is asking for a black swan event to happen when a 'double trip' kicks in. As BESS operators we would say this, but given how low cost it is to procure fast frequency response services, surely NESO should double procurement immediately and ensure trips can't push the system to such a low frequency levels.
PhD, CEng, MIET, Research Associate Net Zero Infrastructure | Power System Dynamic Stability, Grid Codes Compliance, Associate Editor | Elsevier | Renewable & Sustainable Energy Reviews, Associate Editor | IET Smart Grid
IFA Interconnector Trip and Grid Stability This morning at 9:00 AM, the GB power system experienced another significant event when the IFA2 interconnector tripped, leading to a sudden loss of 923 MW of imported power. This caused the system frequency to drop below 49.65 Hz, triggering an immediate response from ancillary services to restore stability. Key Observations: 1. Frequency Response: The system frequency recovered within the standard time limits of ancillary services, indicating that the frequency containment and response mechanisms operated effectively. 2. Fast-Acting Generation & Storage Response: OCGT (Open Cycle Gas Turbines) ramped up quickly to compensate for the lost generation. 3. Pumped storage injected 500 MW, demonstrating its crucial role in stabilising the system. Wind & Demand Coverage: 1. Wind generation was around 9 GW, covering approximately 23% of the total system demand. 2. What if wind penetration was 50% or even higher? How would the system frequency have responded to the same event? Implications for Grid Stability: This event highlights the importance of system flexibility and the effectiveness of ancillary services in handling sudden disturbances. As the GB power system transitions towards net-zero, its reliance on interconnectors, storage, and fast-response generation will continue to grow. What role did battery storage and demand-side response play in stabilising frequency during this event, and how can their effectiveness be improved in future incidents? #NetZero #GridStability #HVDCInterconnectors #EnergyTransition #FrequencyResponse #RenewableEnergy #PumpedStorage #BatteryStorage #GridResilience #PowerSystems
