Great Britain’s First Grid Forming Battery Connects in Scotland

• These projects will improve system stability, lower carbon emissions, and reduce costs for consumers, whilst also improving the resilience of the electricity system. 
• The estimated cost-saving benefits over the 10-year contracts awarded as part of the Stability Phase 2 Pathfinder are c.£500 million.
• A Grid Forming Battery is an advanced energy storage system that can enable batteries as well as other renewable technologies to act like traditional power stations, unlocking new opportunities to secure the future resilience of the electricity network.
• These Stability Phase 2 Pathfinder projects will contribute to the delivery of NESO’s 2025 zero carbon operation and will provide a foundation for the national electricity network to deliver Clean Power by 2030.

The National Energy System Operator (NESO) confirms the go live of the first two projects involved in its Stability Phase 2 Pathfinder to secure future network resilience. 

The Stability Pathfinder Phase 2 is a forward-thinking initiative designed to enhance stability and reduce the operability risk of the electricity system, both in Scotland and across Great Britain. In total, NESO awarded ten contracts as part of this project (worth £323 million overall) to secure 11.55 GVA of Short Circuit Level (SCL) in Scotland and 6.75 GVA seconds of Inertia for Great Britain through the use of five synchronous condensers and five grid forming batteries. 

The five Synchronous Condensers contracted by NESO offer stability to the electricity system like traditional generators, but without generating power. This means the system will receive the benefits of these sites whilst also helping to lower both operational costs and carbon emissions.

The five Grid Forming Batteries contracted by NESO are the first-of-their kind as they provide Short Circuit Level and Inertia by mimicking the behaviour of traditional generators through their control systems. 

Grid Forming Batteries are an advanced battery storage system that can independently stabilise and support the electricity system. They set their own frequency and voltage, unlike traditional batteries. This world-leading capability enables us to integrate more renewable energy sources onto the system which can be less predictable than non-renewable energy sources. This will reduce carbon emissions by increasing the capacity of renewable energy generation. 

As part of the Stability Pathfinder Phase 2, these grid forming batteries and Synchronous Condensers will support the delivery of NESO’s 2025 ambition for zero carbon operation of Great Britain’s National Electricity Transmission Network. Announced in 2019 this ambition seeks to lay the foundation for the future operation of the electricity network by replacing the stability services offered by fossil fuel generation, to ensure that the national electricity network can be operated without relying on a single technology type. The delivery of the 2025 ambition will further future proof Great Britain’s national electricity network, already one of the most resilient in the world, whilst reducing the costs associated with delivering the inertia and other services needed to operate the network.

Initially contracted as part of the pathfinder for ten years these new projects will provide access to these important stability services as carbon emitting power stations are phased out as part of the Government’s 2030 Clean Power Action Plan. From 2035 these projects will have the opportunity to participate in specific markets for stability services, introducing even greater competition and greater value for money for consumers.

Matt Magill, Director of Engineering and Customer Solutions, National Energy System Operator said: 

“These projects will help to accelerate progress towards the transition to a sustainable future by securing network resilience for consumers in Scotland and Great Britain. These sites will support network stability during disturbances and lower the cost of maintaining inertia on the system. 

This is a pivotal moment for Great Britain’s electricity networks, as the first Grid Forming Battery on the system will unlock new tools for the long-term resilience and security of supply of the electricity system, whilst supporting the delivery of zero-carbon operation.”

Grid forming explained