Statkraft Ireland to build its first synchronous compensators

Statkraft has announced plans to build two new synchronous compensators – the first of these projects to be built by the company on the island of Ireland. 

Contracts for the projects in Glencloosagh in Co. Kerry, and Coleraine, Co. Derry, which have already been granted planning permission, were secured earlier this year in the Government’s first Low Carbon Inertia Service auction, which was a requirement set out in the Climate Action Plan. Statkraft secured a total of four out of the six available contracts in the auction, the results of which were awarded in March by system operators EirGrid and SONI.

Synchronous compensators provide grid stability in the form of inertia which supports frequency management across the power system. They also strengthen the local grid connection point by enabling the detection of faults on the grid. Currently, Ireland’s grid is kept stable by conventional fossil fuel plants. Synchronous compensators can replace these fossil-fuelled plants by delivering inertia to the grid and maintaining stability, without producing harmful emissions. This will significantly reduce the level of emissions from the Irish electricity grid and enable more renewable energy to be utilised on the grid. 

Ireland currently wastes over 10 per cent of the renewable power it produces due to grid constraints. These projects will help reduce the grid limits on the amount of renewables that can be used during periods of high production. 

Construction on the projects is due to start at the end of next year, with an anticipated completion in 2027.

Kevin O’Donovan, MD for Statkraft Ireland and UK, said: “We are delighted to be announcing our plans to build the company’s first synchronous compensators in Ireland. These projects will be transformative for the country’s grid, by providing stability and maintaining system strength, while also reducing our reliance on fossil fuel-based inertia solutions.

“Synchronous compensators help deliver long-term stability to the power network, enabling more wind and solar energy to be used on the grid. Wind power can often be curtailed due to the absence of synchronous compensators, so this auction is a positive step as it can help accommodate more renewables on the grid.”

He added: “These two synchronous compensator projects will reduce emissions by in the region of 500,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide every year as fewer carbon-based thermal units will need to be run purely for the purpose of keeping the grid stable. This reduction in emissions is also the equivalent of taking more than 300,000 cars off the road every year. These type of projects are the real game changers when it comes to reducing our reliance on fossil fuels for our electricity generation. 

“As more and more renewably generated power comes on to the Irish grid, it is vital that the grid maintains its stability to keep the lights on. We know that this technology works, having already led the way with our synchronous compensator projects in the UK, so it will be fantastic to have the opportunity to deliver the same benefits to the Irish grid.”   

Statkraft has a track record with this technology, having built the first projects of this type in the UK – Keith Greener Grid Park in Moray, Scotland, and Lister Drive, near Liverpool. These flywheel and battery technology used in these projects help keep the grid stable.