Post: National Grid to re-introduce aggregation at GSP Group for DC frequency response service

National Grid to re-introduce aggregation at GSP Group for DC frequency response service

National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has proposed to re-instate aggregation at Grid Supply Point (GSP) Group as soon as possible under its new suite of frequency response services.

The Dynamic Containment (DC) frequency response service was launched in October 2020 to provide sub-second, post-fault response capability. For GSP, a transitional arrangement was put in place for a period of 12 months where aggregation of Eligible Assets to a Response Unit were permitted at GSP Group level. From October 2021, aggregation was limited to Eligible Assets at GSP level only.

In a document, published 31 January, the electricity system operator said through engagement with providers following the launch of the DC service it had been highlighted that the removal of GSP aggregation presented a barrier to entry. Recognising that aggregation will play an important role in the future provision of ancillary and frequency response services, it has proposed to re-instate aggregation at GSP Group as soon as possible. National Grid ESO also confirmed that the new Dynamic Moderation (DM) and Dynamic Regulation (DR) will allow aggregation at GSP Group.

To facilitate this, National Grid ESO will be engaging with industry to help implement improved mapping abilities for individual assets that form aggregated units, this will include asking participants to provide additional information about the location of individual units. It will also explore other options to improve visibility with aggregators, increasing monitoring of units aggregated at GSP Group, and exploring the level at which a cap on the overall volume of aggregated units could be set.

Source: National Grid ESO

Next steps include:

• System studies and monitoring: preliminary system studies, specifically on DR, will be conducted to determine whether the addition of this product will introduce instability in the system. An internal report is expected in Q1 2022.
• GSP data: In Q1 2022, the ESO will start engaging with providers to ask for visibility of aggregated assets for DM/DR, including information on GSP locations of individual assets that form aggregated units.
• Industry collaboration: In this quarter, the ESO will also start engaging with aggregators to understand what other data is available to further support it in providing visibility of assets providing ancillary services.
• Mapping tool: National Grid ESO will develop a mapping tool that will allow it to identify where aggregated assets are located for DM and DR. The objective is to generate an Aggregator Impact Matrix (AIM) for each aggregated unit, that provides the distribution of aggregated assets across GSPs and help control room to manage constraints. This mapping exercise would be used as an interim tool and the ESO will also explore a solution for the long term.
• Reintroduction of GSP Group: National Grid ESO will consider what other tools are needed to ensure we reduce risk with the remove the GSP requirement for DC. This could include an overall volume cap for aggregated units as well as increased monitoring of units aggregated at GSP Group. It would then progress the move to aggregation at GSP group as part of an consultation process.

Mitesh Gunputh Markets Manager at GridBeyond commented: