According to the agreement, GE Power Conversion will manufacture, and install two Rotating Stabilizer synchronous machines at Statkraft’s site in Keith, Moray.
Statkraft, was awarded four stability contracts (two at Keith and two at Lister Drive) by National Grid ESO (NGESO) earlier this year.
In delivering the project for National Grid ESO, Statkraft UK and GE Power Conversion will provide stability services to help keep the electricity system stable, such as inertia, short circuit level and frequency. This has traditionally been provided by using the kinetic energy in the spinning parts of large generators when they were providing electricity onto the grid. The rise of non-synchronous generators such as solar, wind and interconnectors mean these services are now more important and are being procured separately.
Leveraging GE’s vast experience in rotating machine technology, GE’s Rotating Stabilizer solution provides a way of replacing the stability services provided by traditional thermal plant generation, but without CO2 emissions. As a result, fossil fuel powered generation does not need to run, which allows more renewable generation to operate, providing secure electrical power at a lower cost to consumers.
Commenting on the project, Managing Director of Statkraft UK, David Flood said, “We are delighted to have reached this critical milestone in providing stability services to the grid. Our project at Keith builds on our electricity market and renewables expertise and helps Statkraft deliver our vision of being a renewable energy system integrator.”
“We are pleased to be leveraging GE’s vast experience to deliver this project and the stability contracts we have secured with National Grid ESO” said Guy Nicholson, head of Grid Integration, Statkraft UK. “The Rotating Stabilizer solution provides a way to replace the inertia provided by traditional thermal plant generation but operating without carbon emissions”, he added.
Commenting on the contract award, Julian Leslie, head of Networks at National Grid ESO said, “Our contracts for stability services with providers such as Statkraft are cheaper and greener, reducing emissions and saving money for electricity consumers. This approach is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and is a huge step forward in our ambition to be able to operate the GB electricity system carbon free by 2025.”
