Flexible Generators
Facilitating the transition to a low carbon future.
Flexible generators will play a vital role in the transition to a low carbon future by keeping the lights on. They provide a sustained delivery of electricity to the grid according to system needs and reach full capacity in less than 4 minutes. This means that when other energy sources fail, flexible generators can step in.
STOR’s current portfolio of flexible generation assets is located in the northwest of England, which is at the forefront of the UK hydrogen transition, and the reciprocating engines that have been selected are hydrogen-ready. This means that flexible generators can be green too, another step towards a carbon neutral future.
Why do we need flexible generators?
The UK power market is becoming increasingly dominated by renewable and reserve power technologies as we decommission carbon intensive baseload plants and transition to a low carbon future in energy, with flexible generators capturing a significant proportion of the growth.
- Increased system volatility from intermittent and unreliable renewable energy generation will drive growing demand for flexible reserve power technologies.
- Rapid response flexible generators have significant advantages over OCGTs and CCGTs due to shorter delivery times, better efficiency for shorter durations and higher frequency load profiles.
National Grid sees flexible generation growth as critical to accommodate the peaks and troughs in demand on the system.
With the government’s new target for 40GW of wind by 2030, flexible generators will be even more necessary to ensure the lights don’t go out.
Development
Construction
STOR works closely with its industry partners to ensure the very latest and efficient products, best practices, and safest measures are implemented throughout the construction phase across the portfolio of assets.
Operation
• Capacity Market
• Balancing Mechanism
• Embedded Benefits
• Wholesale Markets
TYPICAL SITE STATS
16
SITE CAPACITY (MW)
7
RECIPROCATING ENGINES
2500
TOTAL HOURS AVAILABLE PA
Why reserve energy?
The change to energy generation and consumption is being driven by three powerful trends: the arrival of increasingly affordable distributed power technologies, decarbonisation of the world’s electricity network through the introduction of more renewable energy sources, and the emergence of digital technologies. Reserve energy will continue to play a vital role in supporting these trends as we transition by ensuring supply levels remain stable.
Decentralisation
The nation is transitioning from relying on fewer large, centralised generators to multiple small-scale local generators connected to the grid at distribution level. The growth of these distributed energy resources such as renewables, and the increase in “prosumers” (individuals who both consume power and produce it) is hugely increasing the complexity of the distribution grid.
Decarbonisation
The rapid deployment of low-carbon technologies such as wind and solar is making it increasingly difficult to forecast variable generation, creating challenges around grid stability, congestion and market volatility.
Digitisation
Greater numbers of connected devices and smart sensors are allowing rapid decision-making on dynamic and nodal prices, while intelligent control systems and internet-enabled software are helping optimise power plants and the grid.
