Future of reactive power
Reactive power services are how we make sure voltage levels on the system remain within a given range, above or below nominal voltage levels. We instruct generators or other asset owners to either absorb or generate reactive power.
We’re now exploring potential solutions to reform the reactive power services which will help to address the challenges we are facing for system voltage control.
To address the challenges we are facing for system voltage control, the NGESO are now using a holistic and interactive approach to exploring potential solutions that could enable more participants across technologies and connection types, to provide reactive power services in the right locations. This aims to maintain system voltage security, and drive down the overall reactive costs to maximise consumer benefits.
Project Data
| Duration | October 2021 - February 2022 |
|---|---|
| Funding | Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) |
| Partners | National Grid ESO, AFRY |
Below you can find the latest material from our workshops and webinars.
Reactive Power Market – April 2022
Project conclusions for the reactive power market.
Future of reactive power project – FAQs – April 2022
Download our latest FAQ for the project
Future of reactive power project – February 2022
Watch the recording or download the slides from our February 2022 Commercial and Technical conclusions workshop.
Update: December 2022 - Request for Information
Accessing Additional Voltage Capability 2023 - 2026
Earlier this year, National Grid ESO launched a request for information (RFI) to look at accessing additional reactive capability across England and Wales between 2023 and 2026.
We received considerable interest with over 100 solutions and over 8 GVAr volume submitted by providers:
- 58 transmission-connected responses totalling 5.4 GVAr
- 56 distribution-connected responses totalling 2.9 GVAr
Note the above volumes have not been subject to effectiveness studies.
The responses to the RFI have demonstrated that there is considerable additional capability potentially accessible to ESO which is really encouraging. We have also learnt that many parties who have mandated reactive power obligations also have the capability and desire to deliver additional reactive power. The RFI also presented a growing appetite to deliver reactive power capability from units connected at the distribution level which traditionally do not offer such services to ESO, appreciating the challenges around effectiveness.
For distribution-connected submissions, ESO require studies from our Distribution Network Operator stakeholders in order to determine the effectiveness and viability of submissions. We continue to progress these discussions and hope to be able share next steps early in the New Year.
We have been able to make faster progress on the transmission-connected solutions as these types of assets by nature have much greater effectiveness on the network. We are pleased to be able to offer these solutions a new commercial services agreement to cover capability outside of grid code obligations and we will be reaching out to parties shortly to outline how we intend to implement these agreements within our current processes.
ESO will share further updates and plans on this webpage. We thank parties for their submissions into the RFI and look forward to continuing to progress accessing additional capability within the market.
Any further questions, please contact [email protected]
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Read our July 2023 update.