Reactive Technologies launches its world-first inertia measurement service GridMetrix® with National Grid ESO.
LONDON, 21 October 2021 – Reactive Technologies (“Reactive”), the UK and Finnish grid technology company, today announces the launch of its flagship grid stability measurement service with system operator National Grid Electricity System Operator (“ESO”) following the construction of the world’s largest continuously operating grid-scale ultracapacitor. It represents the largest deployment of Reactive’s GridMetrix® solution as the business expands its proven technology beyond the UK into other markets facing similar decarbonisation challenges.
As grids transition away from centralised, fossil fuel-dominated generation to smart, distributed and clean energy, technologies like GridMetrix® that provide instantaneous data instead of relying on estimates are needed to manage system stability. The service will help ESO to improve the efficiency and value to consumers of grid balancing actions, and will mark a key step towards its ambition to be able to operate a 100% zero carbon electricity system by 2025.
Constructed by Spanish technology group Ingeteam, the ultracapacitor will send pulses of power through the grid like the underwater sound waves used in sonar, enabling ESO to accurately measure power system stability. Once live, the system operator will have an enhanced real time view of inertia (the force generated by spinning mass that keeps the grid’s frequency stable), a critical capability as the proportion of renewable energy in Britain’s energy mix continues to grow.
The UK’s progress with decarbonisation over the last decade is a highly relevant example for countries around the world embarking on their own energy transition. Located in Teesside’s clean energy hub, the ultracapacitor sits only a few miles up the coast from where the power cables of the world’s largest offshore wind farm, Dogger Bank, will reach landfall and provide power for over five million homes. With significant increases in renewable capacity and grid infrastructure required to meet Britain’s 2035 zero carbon objectives, both these projects are fundamental symbols of the UK’s ambition to achieve its decarbonisation targets.
2021 has been a transformational year for Reactive, in which it also closed a record fundraising round from a group of global investors including the Bill Gates-backed clean energy fund Breakthrough Energy Ventures, BGP and Eaton. As an independent clean technology company specialised in inertia, Reactive is well-poised to export its technology globally and support grids around the world in unlocking renewables growth and accelerating their transition to zero carbon energy systems.
Marc Borrett, CEO, Reactive Technologies, commented:
“The commercial adoption of GridMetrix® by National Grid is a significant milestone in the journey of our technology from a conceptual innovation to a proven and fundamental grid management solution. The challenges facing Britain on its net zero journey are familiar to grids across the world and with the support of our strategic investors and partners, we are extremely excited to help unlock as many 100% renewable grids around the world as possible, accelerating the global transition to a clean energy system.”
Fintan Slye, Executive Director of National Grid ESO, added:
“Our ambition to be able to operate an electricity system that can deliver periods of 100% zero carbon power by 2025 is a stretching target, but thanks to cutting-edge technologies such as this we’re on track to achieve a significant milestone on that zero carbon journey. Decarbonising our grid brings many challenges, but through collaboration and innovation we’ll continue to develop solutions to overcome them and bring about the sustainable energy network we urgently need.”
Notes to Editors
Reactive Technologies is an innovative UK and Finland based energy data company accelerating the transition to a Net Zero future by creating and implementing cutting-edge breakthrough technologies to address the energy industry’s greatest challenges. Reactive work globally with leading system operators, distribution network operators, utilities and other energy market participants to deliver unrivalled mission-critical measurement and data analytics that accurately measure grid performance. Their broad and deep IP portfolio covers over 180 patents worldwide.
About National Grid Electricity System Operator:
National Grid ESO – a legally separate business within the National Grid group – sits at the heart of the electricity system in Great Britain, keeping the lights on around the clock for energy consumers. It moves electricity around the country’s high-voltage network to balance supply and demand in real-time, using a mix of power sources to make sure electricity is available wherever and whenever it’s needed. ESO’s mission is to enable a sustainable energy system and ensure the delivery of reliable, affordable energy for consumers. It works with stakeholders across the whole energy industry to plan for future network needs, using insight to make sure it can balance the system today and find opportunities to transform the way it operates it tomorrow.
About Ingeteam Group:
Ingeteam is an international technological Group specialized in electric power conversion. Its state of the art developments in power and control electronics, rotating electric machines, systems, and services, enables it to provide the best solutions in different sectors, namely: wind, solar PV, hydro and fossil fuel power generation; metal and mineral processing; mining; marine; rail traction; waters; e-vehicle charging and power grid automation, always achieving sustainable and efficient energy generation, transmission, distribution and consumption. The company operates throughout the world, and is permanently based in 22 countries, with a headcount of 4,000. R&D is the backbone of its business activity, in which 5% of its turnover is annually invested.
