Reactive Technologies (“Reactive”), in collaboration with the UK’s National Grid ESO, has been recognized as a Clean Power Energy Transition Changemaker at COP28 for their partnership on the deployment of the world’s first inertia measurement technology.
Amidst soaring global emissions, where the power sector accounts for over 30% of these emissions, the urgency to accelerate clean renewable energy on our grids has never been more critical. The COP28 presidency now calls for a target of 11,000 gigawatts (GW) of renewable capacity by 2030. To accomplish this monumental shift, readily available solutions that enable the safe and swift integration of renewable energy are imperative. The time for future projections has passed; today, grid operators require proven tools that are ready for immediate implementation and maximum impact.
The Energy Transition Changemakers (ETC) initiative, introduced by the COP28 Presidency, aims to foster collaboration and propel clean energy systems further towards Net Zero realisation. This initiative brings together leading solutions, uniting their expertise to drive decarbonisation and substantive climate action.
Selected from a plethora of global clean power solutions, the world’s first inertia measurement project stood out for its unparalleled accuracy and its significant potential to enable power systems to transition away from fossil fuels to cleaner sources of energy. Launched officially in 2021, National Grid ESO implemented Reactive Technologies’ GridMetrix inertia measurement service across the UK to achieve for the first time, a real-time power grid stability insight and support higher proportions of renewable energy safely running on the UK’s national power grid.
As the world moves towards Net Zero carbon electric grids, the addition of renewable generators introduces new challenges for utilities and grid operators. Reactive Technologies offers a suite of hardware and software products providing the world’s most accurate measurements of grid inertia. Their flagship measurement technology, GridMetrix®, offers the only direct, real-time measurement of grid inertia, replacing the imprecise models and estimates used by grid operators today.
The deployment of Reactive’s GridMetrix technology aimed to mitigate renewable curtailment, significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance grid stability. Results showcased enormous potential for global impact in reducing CO2 emissions from power grids, laying the groundwork for more sustainable and resilient energy systems.
Reactive’s GridMetrix service is estimated to save ~18 million tonnes of CO2 annually for the UK power system, with the potential for these savings to significantly increase further as greater measurement data allows National Grid ESO to safely operate on lower and lower levels of stability in pursuit of Net Zero. It will enable the operator to safely increase renewable share and unlock up to 30% additional grid capacity for integrating renewables, in line with ESO’s goal of achieving a fully Net Zero carbon electricity system by 2035.
Moreover, the technology is projected to save National Grid ESO £72 million over the contract lifetime on balancing inertia costs, translating to annual customer savings of ~£14.4 million.
Julian Leslie, Head of Networks at National Grid ESO, said, “I am sincerely grateful to the COP28 presidency for acknowledging the significance of this technology from Reactive Technologies. The positive experience of our collaboration has been transformative, showcasing the power of direct measurement innovation in advancing the energy transition. Collaboration with other power grids is paramount if we are to achieve Net Zero globally. We take pride in pioneering this Net Zero enabling technology with Reactive, which now offers a replicable model that can materially contribute to clean energy systems worldwide.”
Marc Borrett, CEO of Reactive Technologies, commended National Grid ESO’s pioneering approach saying, “I would like to extend our sincere thanks to the organizers of COP28 for awarding our technology and acknowledging its potential for global scalability to help enable Net Zero within power systems. Our appreciation also goes to National Grid ESO for their invaluable trust in Reactive and their pioneering spirit in being the first to use our technology for daily operations. As COP28 signifies a pivotal moment in the journey towards Net Zero, we take immense pride in providing a commercially viable solution to all power grid operators, one that has demonstrated quick and materially impactful results and underscores our commitment to helping grid operators reach their Net Zero targets, safer and faster.”
About Reactive Technologies:
Reactive Technologies is a grid resilience technology company helping grid operators, electric utilities, and regulators transition to net zero and ensure resilient, renewable grids. Reactive’s products, including the first-of-its-kind GridMetrix® technology, bringing unprecedented transparency to grid operations by measuring grid inertia and other functions with 95% accuracy–a vast improvement over the projections and estimates they are replacing. Reactive has worked with some of the most advanced electric utilities in the world and consistently delivers accurate grid data that informs better planning, full utilization of electricity supplies, and cost savings while enabling an accelerated transition to clean energy. Reactive is backed by several of the world’s leading climate tech venture and management firms, including BGF, Breakthrough Energy Ventures, Eaton, Toshiba, and Accenture Ventures. Reactive Technologies is a 2022 Bloomberg New Energy Finance Pioneers winner.
About National Grid ESO:
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.
