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ESO
Firm frequency response (FFR)
FFR creates a route to market for providers whose services may otherwise be inaccessible. The FFR service gives us and service providers both a degree of stability against price uncertainty under the mandatory service arrangements.
24th June 19 - The weekly auction trial results and buy order hash can be found under the Market Information tab.
Following the publication of the FFR Outline Change proposal regarding European Demand Connection Code changes on the 19th July 2019 we are now publishing the Detailed Change Proposal. Alongside the DCP we are publishing the Standard Contract Terms (issue #10), for ease of comparing SCTs #9 & #10 we are issuing a redline version of the document.
17th June 19 - The Current Testing Guidance Document can be found here. Following on from the consultation that closed in September 2018 the NGESO reviewed the responses and has been engaging with the ADE regarding taking the testing guidance forward. NGESO is now in a position to publish the revised Draft FFR Testing Guidance Document for consultation on the proposed changes along with the Covering Letter. The deadline for responses on the proposed Guidance is 17:00 on the 01 July 2019. Update 10.07.19. Following on from the Proposed testing guidance workshop held on the 24th June 2019 we will now be holding a Webinar between 11:00 – 12:30 on Tuesday 16th July to provide a demonstration of the Excel analysis tool which can be used to assess dynamic FFR test results. Please click here for WebEx details. Update 16.07.19 publication of draft versions of the FFR Dynamic Analysis tool, FFR Dynamic Analysis tool user guide and sample FFR Dynamic test report. Updated 22.07.19- Following on from the publication of the FFR testing consultation on the 17th June NGESO has reviewed the responses and is now publishing the final version of the FFR testing guidance and supporting documents which will be effective along with the use of Independent technical Engineers from the 1st August 2019. Click here for testing guidance covering letter
Following on from the publication of the FFR testing guidance consultation on the 17th July National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO) has reviewed the responses and is now publishing the final version of the FFR testing guidance and supporting documents which will be effective along with the use of Independent Technical Engineers from the 1st August 2019
We have published our findings and guidance on State of Charge Management along with the supporting analysis behind our findings
Following the publication of the FFR Outline Change proposal we are now publishing the Detailed Change Proposal. Alongside the DCP we are publishing the Standard Contract Terms (issue #9), for ease of comparing SCTs #8 & #9 we are issuing a redline version of the document. Relating to changes to mandatory works provisions we are publishing the Appendix in the FFR Framework Agreement that will reflect these.
FFR can provide both dynamic and non-dynamic response to changes in frequency:
Dynamic frequency response is a continuously provided service used to manage the normal second-by-second changes on the system.
Non-dynamic frequency response is typically a discrete service triggered at a defined frequency deviation.
Response speeds
There are three response speeds for frequency response.
Providers may offer only one of these or a combination of different response times.
Primary response - Response provided within 10 seconds of an event, which can be sustained for a further 20 seconds.
Secondary response - Response provided within 30 seconds of an event, which can be sustained for a further 30 minutes.
High frequency response - Response provided within 10 seconds of an event, which can be sustained indefinitely.
Providing FFR
The FFR service is open to both Balancing Mechanism (BM) and non-BM providers who can meet the technical requirements. This might include generators connected to the transmission and distribution networks, storage providers and aggregated demand side response.
Providers can offer other balancing services outside of their tendered FFR windows.
Units must be ready and in frequency sensitive mode at the start of each FFR window.