Scotland claims world first by using wind power to turn lights back on

Joshua S Hill6 November 2020

Scottish energy company ScottishPower Renewables says it has achieved a “pioneering world first” by using power from the Dersalloch wind farm to re-energise a blacked-out section of the country’s power grid.

ScottishPower, a subsidiary of Spanish energy giant Iberdrola, which has recently taken control of listed Australian renewable energy and storage company Infigen, says the use of a wind farm as part of a black-start restoration process is a world first.

A “black start” is the name given to the procedure used to restore power in the event of a total of partial shutdown or blackout of the electricity transmission system. Black-Start restoration has historically been reliant on traditional fossil fuel generation, such as coal-fired or natural gas.

However, by using “grid-forming” technology called virtual synchronous machines (VSM) to regulate the frequency and voltage of the power from the turbines – which essentially turned the Dersalloch wind farm into a stable network island – ScottishPower was able to keep the electricity system stable and balanced.

“What we’ve achieved at Dersalloch is truly world-leading and highlights the crucial role renewables will play in creating a decarbonised modern, smart electricity system,” said Lindsay McQuade, CEO of ScottishPower Renewables.

“It’s also a fantastic example of collaboration and innovation to deliver something exceptional that will change how renewables interact with the grid forever. It’s no longer just about the raw power we generate, but the interplay of renewable generation and its characteristics with the overall grid system and its requirements for when power is needed and used.

https://reneweconomy.com.au/scotland-claims-world-first-by-using-wind-power-to-turn-lights-back-on-91542/