EirGrid has awarded four contracts for renewables integration technologies, called synchronous condensers to support Ireland’s energy transition.
These will provide Low Carbon Inertia Services (LCIS) to help maintain stability on the electricity grid while operating with higher levels of clean power.
Following a competitive procurement process run by EirGrid, contracts were awarded to Quarry Lane Stability Limited in Sligo (a wholly owned subsidiary of Statkraft Ireland Limited), Glencloosagh Energy Limited in Kerry (a wholly owned subsidiary of Statkraft Ireland Limited), Buffy Letter Limited in Galway and Green Frog Power (Wexford) Limited in Wexford.
Historically, these inertia capabilities required to keep the power system stable could only be provided by large conventional generators.
Earlier this year, EirGrid announced it had reduced the minimum number of large conventional fossil-fuelled generators that must operate on Ireland’s electricity grid at any one time from five to four.
The LCIS technology, expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2028, will enable the minimum number of units to be further reduced over time.
The contracts awarded to build synchronous condensers will together provide 6963MVA of synchronous inertia, as well as reactive power support and short-circuit contribution, without generating active power.
EirGrid chief transformation & technology officer Liam Ryan said: “The availability of low carbon inertia services is an important part of an extensive programme of work we’re undertaking to make the grid renewables ready, which will benefit the economy and local communities across Ireland.
“In recent years, this has included the introduction of new technology in our control centre, as well as an increase in our Rate of Change of Frequency limit, following a large decade-long programme in conjunction with the regulators, the distribution system operators and the generators on the island of Ireland.
“At the moment, up to 75% of Ireland’s electricity generation can come from variable renewables, such as wind and solar, at any one time.
“This is known as the system non-synchronous penetration (SNSP) limit.
“We are doing more system studies and assessments at the moment, aiming to do a trial later this year to bring our SNSP limit above 75%.”