- Back
- Who we are
- Electricity explained
- A net zero future
-
Industry information
- Back
- Home
- Industry information
- Connections
-
Balancing Services
- Back
- Industry information
- Balancing Services
- Future of balancing services
- Frequency response services
- Reserve services
- System security services
- Reactive power services
- Trading
- Settlements
- Balancing Mechanism Wider Access
- Electricity Operational Forum
- Electricity System Restoration Standard
- Power Responsive
-
Charging
- Back
- Industry information
- Charging
- Balancing Services Use of System (BSUoS) charges
- Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) charges
- Assistance for Areas with High Electricity Distribution Costs (AAHEDC)
- Connection charges
- Charging guidance
- Charging policy developments
- Charging statements
- Submit a charging query
-
Codes
- Back
- Industry information
- Codes
- Code changes: Beginner's Guide
- Connection and Use of System Code (CUSC)
- Grid Code (GC)
- System Operator Transmission Owner Code
- Security and Quality of Supply Standard (SQSS)
- Balancing Settlement Code (BSC)
- Digitalised Whole System Technical Code (WSTC)
- European Network Codes (ENC)
- Codes calendar
- About the Codes Team
-
Industry Data and Reports
- Back
- Industry information
- Industry Data and Reports
- System Performance Reports
- Balancing services performance monitoring report
- Data finder and explorer
- Forecast volumes and costs
- GB Electricity System Operator Daily Reports
- System balancing reports
- Monthly transmission loss data (4l)
- System constraints
- Voltage costs
- Keeping the lights on throughout coronavirus
- Accelerated Loss of Mains applications
- Our consultation responses
- Our strategy
- Research & publications
ESO
Is it easier to deal with too much or too little demand?
They are both scenarios in which we have to balance the system and we have tools for both.
However there is one additional challenge that we need to overcome in low demand scenarios that we don’t have with high demand.
We need something called “inertia” to manage our system. It’s a physics thing, but you can think of it like car suspension that absorbs shocks to the system.
Coal and gas generators are currently the only forms of controllable inertia generators on the system. So even when there is low demand we might have to bring on some gas and coal generators to ensure that we have enough inertia.
Also, it’s worth noting demand itself provides inertia to the system and so when demand is lower, this inertia issue is compounded.
Peaks, troughs and fluctuations in demand are something we’re used to dealing with and one of the many situations we plan for to keep the system operating smoothly.
We will continue to draw on that experience, and work in partnership with colleagues across the industry, to manage any more changes over the coming months.
Contributing Expert
