Renewable resources like wind and solar are fast replacing large, centralised fossil-fuel plants to decarbonize electricity production. However, the increasing penetration of renewables in power grids is reducing the inertia that is essential for a stable operation of the power grid.
This renewable energy source, usually intermittent wind and solar power, has resulted in a dramatic reduction in the amount of spinning inertia in the grid, otherwise known as kinetic reserve. Inertia is vital to resist sudden changes, such as when a generator trips offline, so that the grid frequency remains within tightly controlled limits. It is rather like a car’s shock absorbers smoothing out a sudden bump in the road to keep it safely on course. Power grids rely on their inertia to keep them in balance.
Utilities, power generation companies and owners of private networks should be seeking ways to restore this reserve of inertia. One potential solution is the well proven technology of Synchronous Condensers. These large rotating devices restore physical inertia to deliver instantaneous support for grids, enabling them to maintain stability irrespective of the upstream network voltage or frequency.
Join Christian Payerl, Area Sales Manager, Synchronous Condensers, ABB, at this webinar, where he will explain how Synchronous Condensers can restore the balance for urban networks and remote islands.
Key Learning Objectives
- What issues are renewable energy suppliers facing
- What is inertia and why is it important for renewable grids
- What available options are there to keep this inertia
- What solutions ABB can provide
