A joint project between National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) and electricity network operator UK Power Networks is demonstrating how wind and solar farms can dynamically feed in power to provide voltage control services to balance the system and help the grid run more efficiently.
Power Potential has been developed to help manage the rapid increase in wind and solar farms, and battery storage connecting to local electricity networks.
The south and east of England has seen a significant rise in these during the past decade, with more than 7GW of electricity produced by renewable energy.
The project team built a Distributed Energy Resources Management System (Derms), developed by technical specialists ZIV Automation.
This has enabled wind, solar and storage batteries across Kent and Sussex to provide market-based reactive power services, being paid to address voltage challenges on the national electricity system.
With the live trials now complete, National Grid ESO will use the insights to inform its Future of Reactive project.
The project looks at how to introduce a competitive market for buying reactive power across Great Britain.
Partner companies are also now investigating how to use and develop the services as part of Regional Development Programme partnerships in the south coast.
UK Power Networks head of customer service and innovation Ian Cameron said: “This is an incredible milestone in our work to deliver a Net Zero emissions electricity system that works for all.
“Power Potential has been one of our most ambitious projects ever, and its success is down to the dozens of dedicated experts who worked tirelessly throughout.
“Together, we’ve shown how a Distribution System Operator can enable new services and create tangible benefits, a win for consumers, a win for networks and a win for clean air.”
National Grid ESO network operability manager Graham Stein said: “Power Potential is a fantastic example of energy resource and network experts working together to deliver something important and new.
“The project’s output will facilitate the continued growth of renewable energy, inform effective development of Distribution System Operator capability and help us achieve zero carbon.
“It also demonstrates the value of challenging the perceived constraints of organisational and technical boundaries and how risks can be managed with diligence and shared ambition.”
ZIV Automation UK managing director Adrian Kearney said: “This is a ground-breaking project, demonstrating the viability of delivering aggregated services from distributed network resources.
“It has been a significant step forward in the DSO transition and in the Flexible Services market.
“It shows what can be achieved using advanced technology and a fantastic team of experts from UK Power Networks, NG ESO and ZIV Automation working in collaboration.
“ZIV Automation is proud to have made a significant contribution to the success of the project.”