Frequency response services
Find out about the different types of existing frequency response services and how to get involved.
As part of our licensing obligations, we control system frequency at 50Hz plus or minus 1%. We also ensure that there is sufficient generation and demand held in readiness to manage all credible circumstances that might result in frequency variations.
There are two categories of frequency response:
- Dynamic frequency response is a continuously provided service which manages the normal second-by-second changes on the system.
- Non-dynamic response is usually a discrete service triggered at a defined frequency deviation.
We currently actively procure the following response services:
| Service | Speed | Duration | Direction | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dynamic Regulation | 10 seconds | Up to 60 minutes | High and Low Frequency | Pre-Fault Service |
| Dynamic Moderation | 1 second | Up to 30 minutes | High and Low Frequency | Pre-fault service |
| Dynamic Containment | 1 second | Up to 15 minutes | High and Low Frequency | Post fault service |
| Static Firm Frequency Response | 30 seconds | 30 minutes | Low Frequency only | Post fault service |
| Mandatory Frequency Response | 10-30 seconds |
Low Frequency: 30 minutes High Frequency: indefinite |
Bundled High and Low Frequency | Previous generation of response provision, designed to resolve all issues with the one service. A replacement service is being investigated |
| Commercial Frequency Response | Varies | Varies | Varies | Suite of bespoke, bilaterally arranged frequency response contracts. |
Find out more about our frequency response services and how to get involved.
Static Firm Frequency Response (SFFR)
Static Firm Frequency Response (SFFR) is a non-dynamic frequency response service used for balancing grid frequency in real time.
Dynamic Services (DC/DM/DR)
Dynamic Containment (DC), Dynamic Moderation (DM), and Dynamic Regulation (DR) make up our suite of Dynamic Response Services.
Mandatory Frequency Response (MFR)
Mandatory frequency response (MFR) is an automatic change in active power output in response to a frequency change. The service helps us to keep frequency within statutory and operational limits…
Future of response services
We are investigating what a new, faster-acting frequency response product may look like, and how it could form part of a new suite of frequency response products.
Frequency data
Our extranet provides real-time data, such as demand and frequency data, over the last 60 minutes.
Find more information on the historic frequency data, covering up to and including 2020 at a 1-second resolution. The data for 2021 and beyond is on our NESO Data Portal.