Reactive Technologies and National Grid ESO launch world-first grid technology

Reactive Technologies announced the launch of its flagship grid stability measurement service with system operator National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) following the construction of the world’s largest continuously operating grid-scale ultracapacitor.

It represents the largest deployment of Reactive’s GridMetrix solution as the business expands its proven technology beyond the UK into other markets facing similar decarbonisation challenges.

As grids transition away from centralised, fossil fuel-dominated generation to smart, distributed and clean energy, technologies like GridMetrix that provide instantaneous data instead of relying on estimates are needed to manage system stability.

According to a company press release, the service will help ESO to improve the efficiency and value to consumers of grid balancing actions, and will mark a key step towards its ambition to be able to operate a 100% zero carbon electricity system by 2025.

Constructed by Spanish technology group Ingeteam, the ultracapacitor will send pulses of power through the grid like the underwater sound waves used in sonar, enabling ESO to accurately measure power system stability. Once live, the system operator will have an enhanced real time view of inertia (the force generated by spinning mass that keeps the grid’s frequency stable), a critical capability as the proportion of renewable energy in Britain’s energy mix continues to grow.

Located in Teesside’s clean energy hub, the ultracapacitor sits only a few miles up the coast from where the power cables of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, will reach landfall and provide power for over five million homes. With significant increases in renewable capacity and grid infrastructure required to meet Britain’s 2035 zero carbon objectives, both these projects are fundamental symbols of the UK’s ambition to achieve its decarbonisation targets.

Marc Borrett, CEO, Reactive Technologies, commented: “The commercial adoption of GridMetrix by National Grid is a significant milestone in the journey of our technology from a conceptual innovation to a proven and fundamental grid management solution. The challenges facing Britain on its net zero journey are familiar to grids across the world and with the support of our strategic investors and partners, we are extremely excited to help unlock as many 100% renewable grids around the world as possible, accelerating the global transition to a clean energy system.”

Fintan Slye, Executive Director of National Grid ESO, added: “Our ambition to be able to operate an electricity system that can deliver periods of 100% zero carbon power by 2025 is a stretching target, but thanks to cutting-edge technologies such as this we’re on track to achieve a significant milestone on that zero carbon journey. Decarbonising our grid brings many challenges, but through collaboration and innovation we’ll continue to develop solutions to overcome them and bring about the sustainable energy network we urgently need.”