New technology to help keep electricity grid stable goes live in Wales

Bruce Sinclair, Local Democracy Reporter

New technology designed to help keep Britain’s electricity grid stable is set to start operating in Wales this week.

A synchronous condenser built by energy company RWE at its Pembroke power station site is due to start operating in the coming days as part of a wider programme overseen by the National Energy System Operator (NESO).

The large rotating machine provides what is known as inertia, helping the electricity system withstand sudden changes in frequency and maintain a stable supply.

Traditionally, that function has been provided by spinning generators at coal, gas and nuclear power stations.

As those sources provide a smaller proportion of Britain’s electricity and more power comes from wind and solar, alternative ways of providing grid stability are being introduced.

The Pembroke machine is the first of 16 new synchronous condensers being delivered through the next phase of NESO’s Stability Pathfinder programme.

It is the fourth synchronous condenser to become operational in Wales but the first built by RWE at its Pembroke Net Zero Centre, based at the company’s existing gas-fired power station.

£9bn

NESO estimates the stability technologies being introduced through the programme could save consumers up to £9bn in electricity system costs over the coming years.

The programme currently provides 17.2 GVAs – gigavolt-ampere seconds – of inertia to Britain’s electricity network.

Its next phase is expected to provide another 26.9 GVAs, more than doubling the amount of grid stability provided by the technologies.

Matt Magill, director of engineering at NESO, said: “Through our world-leading Stability Pathfinder programme, NESO has pioneered new markets for technologies such as synchronous condensers and Britain’s first grid-forming batteries.

“Together, they are helping replace services traditionally provided by fossil fuel power stations, while maintaining one of the world’s most secure and reliable electricity systems.”

Pembroke

RWE’s wider plans for its Pembroke site include battery storage, carbon capture and green hydrogen projects alongside the existing gas-fired power station.

Nikolaus Valerius, chief executive of RWE Generation SE, said: “The successful commissioning of our new synchronous condenser at Pembroke is an important milestone for the project and for the wider electricity system.

“As more renewable generation connects to the grid, technologies like this will play an increasingly important role in maintaining a secure and reliable electricity network, supporting the Government’s ambition to deliver a clean power system while strengthening resilience.”

The synchronous condenser is expected to operate without generating electricity itself, instead providing the inertia needed to help keep the frequency of the grid stable when there are sudden disturbances.

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