The roadmap for the Restoration service has been published by National Grid. National Grid procures generators to provide the Black Start service in the unlikely event of an outage on the system. If one of these events occurs, the generators are able to self-start to energise the local transmission network. Currently, Black Start services are mainly provided by large transmission-connected generators that can:
“¢ Start-up independently following a shutdown
“¢ Provide power to the transmission network
“¢ Provide block loading of local demand.
The generation mix on the system is changing significantly with an increase in renewable generation and smaller thermal generation connected to the distribution system. A number of existing Black Start providers are large conventional fossil fuel power stations. To be ready to re-energise in the needed timescales, these power stations need to maintain warmth within their assets. In previous years, they would have been generating fairly constantly throughout the year, so would have remained in such a state of readiness, but this is no longer the case. The Black Start Strategy needs to evolve to ensure the system can always be restored effectively and economically. National Grid believes that encouraging a wide range of technologies to provide this service is the best way forward. Black Start providers need to be spread across the system. National Grid will split the country into six zones and contract with up to three stations in each zone to achieve this.
The product roadmap details how National Grid plans to improve transparency of the service and how it works, as well as opportunities for new providers to take part. They aim to broaden participation, increasing involvement from renewable generation, interconnected flows, storage and DER. This will introduce increased competition, reduced risk and greater innovation. National Grid is currently considering providers for new opportunities from 2020, as shown in the figure below.
Source: Product Roadmap for Restoration, May 2018, National Grid
Feedback to National Grid to box.futureofbalancingservices@nationalgrid.com
To find out more about the about the support TNEI can offer developers wishing to provide restoration services, please visit our grid connections page, or call us on 0161 233 4800.
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