RES teams up with National Grid to offer frequency response service

Renewable Energy Systems (RES) is to provide 20MW of frequency response to the national transmission network from battery storage for the first time in the UK.

RES has signed a four-year contract with National Grid to use battery storage systems to help National Grid perform its system balancing role.

RES’ systems will provide frequency response to the grid within one second of the detection of a frequency deviation.

The two companies have been working on developing this service since 2014. It is expected to be fully operational within 18 months.

This service is a forerunner to National Grid’s upcoming tender for 200MW of enhanced frequency response. Both services will help National Grid support the network as the country transitions to a generation mix with greater levels of renewable energy.

RES said it believes the contract will demonstrate the potential role of energy storage in the UK’s transition to a secure, low-carbon future system, and encourage policymakers and regulators to “accelerate the removal of barriers to wider deployment of storage in the UK.”

National Grid’s senior account manager Adam Sims said: “This is the first time that battery storage will be used to provide such fast-acting frequency response service to the national transmission network in Great Britain.

“This innovative technology will enable us to respond to frequency issues in under a second, helping to maintain the integrity of the grid.”

RES energy storage manager John Prendergast said: “RES has previously pioneered the delivery of very fast frequency services in Canada and is one of the largest providers of such services in the USA.

“Now, developing this innovative service with National Grid is a major step in the development of RES’ UK energy storage business.”

RES has already commissioned six similar projects in North America.