National Grid helps found global alliance of electricity system operators

A new global coalition of electricity system operators has been launched to accelerate the decarbonisation of power grids around the world.

Alongside Britain’s National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO), the six founding members of the Global Power System Transformation Consortium include the system operators for Australia, California, Texas, Ireland and Denmark.

The founders will partner with another 25 system operators from across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Eastern Europe as they seek to achieve a 50 per cent reduction in global emissions of all pollutants over the next decade.

“Countries around the world are looking to pursue a path to modern, low-emissions energy systems, but face significant challenges in acquiring and applying the technical knowledge needed to operate and plan rapidly transforming power systems,” said Audrey Zibelman, chief executive of the Australia Energy Market Operator.

“This consortium will help meet this need by engaging key power system operators, applied research and educational institutions, governments, businesses, and stakeholders from developed and developing countries to accelerate clean energy transitions at the ambitious scope and scale that is required.”

ESO director Fintan Slye said: “We’re excited to join fellow system operators in leading the consortium’s research agenda that is holistic and driven by making it all work together.

“Through the consortium, we’ll scale up global research collaboration on cutting-edge technical innovations in areas such as real-time intelligent control applications and state-of-the-art power electronics that will enhance the reliability and accelerate our transitions to best-in-class, low emission reliable power systems.

“These pioneering innovations will be shared rapidly with countries around the world.”