How can power grids integrate renewables faster and more cost effectively?

The changing face of electricity networks

The electricity network has been around since the early 20th century. It was built specifically to capture conventional, steady-state generation and bring it to where it was required – homes and businesses.

In recent years, we have seen two big changes to how those networks are used – the shift from largely steady-state fossil fueled generation to more intermittent renewable generation; and the move towards a more active participation of the end users generating electricity themselves as prosumers (micro generation).

At the same time, the load on the network has massively increased with the electrification of mobility and heat.

This gives network operators two main challenges – how to keep their networks resilient and stable in the face of intermittent generation and how to rapidly expand their networks to cope with the increase in demand. No network is immune to these challenges – it’s a case of when rather than if.

So how do we get ahead of the game and make sure we are ready for that “when”?

Planning is everything

When planning to connect new renewable generation, network operators typically look to add more grid capacity. But adding grid capacity takes time – and in many countries, that timespan is getting longer.

But what if we could change the way we plan our networks and speed up the connection of renewable generation? What if we could address the technical challenges of connecting renewables without having to wait until that new grid capacity is completed?

We can, and the answer lies in power electronics.

An elegant solution

Power electronic solutions have been around for a while and are often used to resolve power quality issues that occur in the network over time. But an emerging approach is to use these solutions to mitigate issues before they occur.

We already see renewable generators, who are connecting to the transmission or distribution network, deploying power electronic solutions to generate synthetic inertia. This functionality acts as the jam in the sandwich, making both the connection stability acceptable for the network company and enabling the generator to deliver reliable power. Like the jam, it “sweetens” the arrangement for all players and allows, in some cases, for the renewable generator to connect earlier than planned.

In other situations, where there are emerging ancillary service markets, solutions which deliver fast frequency response are becoming another string to the generators’ bow. By deploying an additional tool to provide frequency response, they can unlock another revenue stream, significantly and rapidly enhancing their investment rate of return.

We also see innovative network companies exploring solutions with grid forming control functionalities to enable more resilient networks. Where they might traditionally have simply built more capacity to strengthen the network, community acceptance, space restrictions and timescales can be prohibitive. By deploying grid forming solutions, they can transform a weaker network into a resilient and robust grid, capable of accelerating renewable connections.

Where innovative network companies are applying new ways of thinking to old problems, we are seeing faster connection of renewable energy and a more efficient expenditure of limited budget. But how can we roll out these benefits more widely?

With a little help from my friends

We’ve brought together our world-leading technology and our expert know-how into our Grid-enSure™ portfolio of solutions for the energy transition. Working with network operators, renewable developers and large energy users across the world, we’re helping them get more out of existing infrastructure, shrink connection queues and make grid upgrade budgets go further. Using our global expertise, we can select exactly the right combination of solutions for each challenge and deliver outstanding results.

Where could this approach make a difference in your world? I can’t wait to see what, together, we can create.