Blog Posts on Grid Stability

Frequency Containment Reserve (FCR)

What is Frequency Containment Reserve (FCR)? Definition To ensure the required grid frequency of 50 or 60 Hz (depending on the concerning country) the Transmission System Operators (TSO) of each country need instruments to maintain this reference value. These instruments are the balancing services. Balancing services are reactive short-term means to level out frequency deviations More… (Published: 26. March 2021 by Lotte Lehmbruck)
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The (electric) engine is running – How to use EVs for grid balancing

After two years of development, in August 2020, Next Kraftwerke and Jedlix started offering secondary reserve power (aFRR) to the Dutch grid using a pool of electric vehicles (EVs). Nick Hubbers, Jedlix, and Elias De Keyser, Next Kraftwerke, talk about their ambitions, how they realized this project, and what they learned along the way on using electric vehicles to balance the grid. Fasten your seat belts and keep reading! (Published: 18. November 2020 by Lotte)
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“California’s grid operator falls short during recent heat wave”

On Friday 14 Aug, an extremely hot and dry day in California and the west, California’s independent system operator (CAISO) had to resort to limited rolling blackouts that affected approximately 400,000 customers in California on Friday and the following Saturday 15 Aug. (Published: 25. August 2020 by Jan)
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How Are Units in a VPP Selected to Provide Ancillary Services?

In a Virtual Power Plant, thousands of systems provide balancing services every day. But how exactly are the individual units selected for the provision of balancing energy? Which factors are taken into consideration? (Published: 23. July 2020 by Nils Quak)
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The big sellout at the Control Reserve Market

How the mixed-pricing system turns the security of the electricity grid into a speculative mass: On the sixth, 12th and 25th of June 2019, market distortions occurred in Germany; some of which had severe effects on the electricity grid. (Published: 4. July 2019 by Jan, Christian)
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Dispatch & Redispatch?

What are Dispatch & Redispatch? Definition The term ‘dispatch’ refers to resource planning at a power plant by the plant’s operator. ’Redispatch’ refers to a short-term change in how a power plant is utilized. This request comes at the behest of a transmission system operator to prevent bottlenecks in the grid. Dispatch Dispatch exists to achieve the most More… (Published: 13. February 2019 by Nils Quak)
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Utility frequency

What does utility frequency mean? Definition It is well-know that household alternating current (AC) in Germany and Europe has a frequency of 50 Hertz (Hz), while other parts of the world run on 60 Hz. What is less known is that this utility frequency (also known as mains frequency or grid frequency) also provides information about the ratio of electricity generation More… (Published: 13. February 2019 by Nils Quak)
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Grid code

What is the grid code? Definition The grid code, also known as the transmission code in some countries, is the set of rules a transmission system operator (TSO) uses to define conditions for accessing the electricity grid. Role of the grid code The grid code regulates the general conditions pertaining to how installations connect to the high and extra-high More… (Published: 13. February 2019 by Nils Quak)
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