Low Carbon Infrastructure Transition Programme: capital projects - March 2024

Scottish Power Renewables Grid Forming Algorithm Pilot

Project Organisation:

Scottish Power Renewables, in partnership with Siemens Gamesa Renewable Energy and Scottish Power Energy

Technology type(s):

Algorithm connected to a wind farm with 23 turbines and 69MW installed capacity

Location:

Dersalloch wind farm in South Ayrshire

Grant value:

£547,000

Completion date:

November 2020

Project description:

The project trialed new grid forming technology (Virtual Synchronous Machines) to regulate the frequency and voltage of the power output of Dersalloch wind farm in South Ayrshire. This formed a stable network island and keeps the electricity system balanced, utilising the 69MW output at Dersalloch to restore blacked out sections of the transmission network. This created a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel use in creating a stable electricity system. Estimated carbon savings to the grid from using wind power for Black Start restoration at Dersalloch as an alternative to previous fossil fuel methods are 51.3 million kg CO₂e per kWh.