Discussing balancing mechanisms on the LE3D Forum

During last week’s social session on the Leonardo ENERGY 3D Forum, participants discussed a presentation on Balancing Mechanisms and Congestion Management in UCTE interconnected network. The operating principles of primary, secondary and tertiary reserve were explained. An interesting discussion followed, focussing on the impact of current developments, such as renewables and passive houses.

Passive houses could actually play an active role as a balancing resource in the near future. From the Transmission System Operator point of view, the more balancing resources are available, the more reliable the grid. However, to participate in the balancing mechanism, it is necessary to submit prior to real time (typically on day ahead) a program of injections and/or withdrawals. That means predictability is also necessary as well as flexibility, and ideally storage capacity).

Some renewable generators (wind and solar particularly) introduce two factors of degradation for grid balancing: predictability and the ability to control the power output. On the side of predictability, big progress is being achieved. However, the impossibility of controlling the power output necessitates making up for reserve capacity among other production units (combined cycles, nuclear, hydro). That is the reason why there is currently a ceiling for integrating these renewables.

It was finally reminded that other electricity networks (Nordel, UKTSOA), have different requirements in terms of reserves. For instance, the UK system being smaller, its inertia is much lower. Thus, it requires more reserve capacity and more reactive response.