From today wind, wave and solar generators will be able to offer the kind of stability services which have traditionally been delivered by conventional generators.
They can do this because a rule change takes effect that allows National Grid ESO will be able to procure grid stability services from converter-connected technologies such as renewables or interconnectors. The move is crucial to decarbonising the power system and enabling Net Zero, and NGESO says Great Britain is the first country to have achieved this step.

Tony Johnson, who led the project for National Grid ESO’s markets team, said: ‘This is a breakthrough moment, a key piece in the energy transition jigsaw, that will ensure we can operate a fully decarbonised grid and deliver on our net zero commitments.

‘It’s the culmination of up to 10 years of thinking and working with stakeholders to find the common ground between what equipment is capable of doing and what the system needs.

‘It also ensures that as we transition away from conventional fossil fuelled generation, we can operate the grid securely and efficiently, which will ultimately save consumers money.’

The change in the GB Grid Code (the rulebook that sets the specification for everything that connects to the grid) sets a specification for ‘grid forming’ or virtual synchronous machine capability which will enable renewable generators and interconnectors with HVDC connections to compete to provide stability services. Stakeholders will now know the technical requirements to participate in the procurement process for system services and can ‘design in’ the ability.
‘Grid forming’ ability allows equipment connected to the network to provide system stability support in a similar way to conventional generators that are directly connected to the transmission system. It is achieved by the converter’s control system responding very quickly to system conditions which simulates the response of traditional plant.
This supports the transition of the system away from conventional fossil fuelled generation, ensures continued system security as this transition takes place and saves consumers money by helping the ESO to efficiently operate the system.