How can renewable energy sources provide frequency response and inertia services?

2 Renewable inertia

Inertia is the property of rotating masses, such as turbines and generators, that resist changes in their speed or direction. Inertia helps to stabilize the grid frequency by absorbing or releasing kinetic energy in response to disturbances, such as faults or load changes. Inertia also provides a buffer time for frequency response services to activate and correct the frequency deviations. Conventional generators have high inertia, because they have large and heavy rotating parts. Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar, have low or no inertia, because they have small or no rotating parts. This can reduce the overall inertia of the grid, and make it more vulnerable to frequency disturbances. Renewable energy sources can provide inertia services by using synthetic inertia, virtual inertia, or fast frequency response. Synthetic inertia is the emulation of inertia by using smart inverters or energy storage systems to inject or absorb power in response to frequency changes, within fractions of a second. Virtual inertia is the simulation of inertia by using control algorithms or communication systems to coordinate the output of multiple renewable energy sources, to mimic the behavior of a large rotating mass. Fast frequency response is the provision of frequency response services within seconds, by using smart inverters, energy storage systems, or demand response.

3 Benefits of renewable services

Renewable energy sources can provide frequency response and inertia services to enhance the grid stability and reliability, and to support the integration of more renewable energy into the grid. By providing these services, renewable energy sources can also increase their value and revenue in the electricity market, and reduce their dependence on subsidies or incentives. Moreover, renewable energy sources can reduce the environmental and social impacts of conventional generators, such as greenhouse gas emissions, air pollution, water consumption, and noise.

4 Barriers of renewable services

However, there are also some barriers and challenges for renewable energy sources to provide frequency response and inertia services. One of them is the technical complexity and uncertainty of these services, which require advanced technologies, standards, and regulations to ensure their quality and performance. Another one is the economic feasibility and competitiveness of these services, which depend on the market design, pricing mechanisms, and incentives to reward their provision and reflect their costs and benefits. A third one is the social acceptance and awareness of these services, which involve the education and engagement of stakeholders, such as consumers, regulators, utilities, and developers, to understand and support their role and value.

6 Here’s what else to consider

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