Act now: ten days to respond to NGESO on frequency control options after 2019 blackout

Should a programme that is underwriting stability upgrades to distributed generation be extended for another year? The so-called Accelerated Loss of Mains Change Programme has already funded changes to hundreds of small power plants, which have had set-points changed so they do not disconnect from the electricity grid too quickly, creating a cascading fault. The programme was slowed during Covid because it required site visits.

And should NGESO move faster than planned in contracting response for its new Dynamic Containment service to help maintain system conditions within set limits? NGESO says the service,  launched in October 2020,” is delivering value today and continues to provide value into the future” and suggests it should contract more than 500MW.

The industry has less than two weeks to respond to these and other proposals, in an NGESO  consultation following on from the blackout of August 2019.

After the blackout it was decided that the system operator should review the arrangements for maintaining system reserve and response. This backup is required to ensure blackouts are kept at a minimum. But the cost - £616 million to manage the frequency in 2019/20-  is charged to customers, and there is a balance to be struck on how far costs should rise for extra security.

A new grid code rule requires the system operator to consider what level of risk should be mitigated and therefore what costs should be incurred. It is required todevelop a methodology to assess costs and regularly consult on a Frequency Risk and Control Report.

The consultation is the first time that the report has been produced. It will be discussed with stakeholders in a webinar on 8 March and the consultation will close on 12 March.

See the consultation here

 

Further reading

£5k bonus for embedded generators who adjust plant ‘set points’ this quarter – and warning over mid-May deadline for full subsidy

NGGT probes gas emergency arrangements’ link with power generation, fearing ‘no robust methodology’. Are gas engine fleets ‘free riding’?

Embedded plants: new scrutiny after blackout

Solar farms face second ‘ride through’ upgrade

Adjustment to thousands of small power plants to raise stability suspended, but System Operator will call for action at key sites

Simultaneous plant failures caused widespread power interruptions

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