Global renewable energy capacity additions in 2020 beat earlier estimates and all previous records despite the economic slowdown triggered by the pandemic. According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the world added more than 260 gigawatts (GW) of renewable energy capacity last year, exceeding expansion in 2019 by close to 50 per cent.
The development of a secure and interconnected power system with high renewable penetration requires the implementation of advanced solutions by transmission system operators (TSOs) to overcome certain technical challenges.
The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E), published a paper outlining the progress made in recent years in technological options from power electronics coupled sources to support the future system, most notably in the field of grid forming converters that will ensure the stable operation of interconnected transmission systems with a high penetration of non-synchronous power generation modules.
In support of EU efforts to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, ENTSO-E has recently released its vision on the system operation for 2030, supported by its Research, Development & Innovation (RDI) Roadmap. Both documents underline the importance of system stability under the high penetration of non-synchronous renewables.
ENTSO-E highlights that as part of the energy transition, a complex cyber-physical system is emerging, and further innovation and development is required to secure the stable operation of widespread hybrid AC-DC networks. Under such conditions, all market participants must take action to facilitate the stable transformation of the power system.
The paper highlights that grid-forming capabilities need to be defined in connection network codes (CNCs) to enable harmonised solutions. ENTSO-E also emphasised the importance of developing sufficient conditions for grid-forming capabilities via national level ancillary services. Following the CNC developments and harmonised requirements, TSOs could initiate the development of grid-forming capabilities by specifying their new assets, such as HVDC systems, FACTs and SCs, according to the paper. Storage facilities could play an important role in delivering grid-forming capabilities in the future. As the maturity of the technology is high ENTSO-E says that battery storage facilities could already today offer grid-forming capabilities.
In a recent interview with CEENERGYNEWS, András Biczók, CEO of the Hungarian Transmission System Operator MAVIR highlighted the importance to have a common energy industry based outlook on the ways and solutions to involve renewables fully in the power market.
The CEO of MAVIR underlined the need for closer TSO-DSO cooperation, not just because of the flexibility but also because of network planning or enabling interconnection for the new renewables coming up. As he noted, there is a special need for the full integration of renewables in the ancillary services, which is something the entire region should work on.
