As rising numbers of inverter-based resources (IBRs), largely from wind, solar, and battery energy storage systems are deployed in power systems around the world, their contribution to the grid and the demand for services from them are undergoing transformation. To maintain grid stability and reliability, the participation of IBRs in some of the services will be critical. IBRs have the capability to provide some of these grid services such as operating reserves, planning reserves, and voltage support. The procurement and deployment of the services can be implemented either as mandatory interconnection requirements or as market products.
This report provides a comprehensive overview of both current and emerging opportunities for IBRs within bulk power systems and electricity markets. It concentrates on the reliability services (ancillary services) of the bulk power system, with a special emphasis on the ability of variable energy resources, like wind and solar, to deliver these services. It presents a thorough examination of both traditional and emerging ancillary services within the bulk power system, discussing the potential roles for IBRs. This includes technical definitions and characteristics, contemporary performance criteria, and compensation mechanisms for each of the identified services.
Variable resources such as wind and solar have the technical and control capability to provide most grid services; however, they rarely do in practice due to eligibility rules, grid operator confidence and forecast uncertainty, and for economic reasons. Further actions may be necessary to investigate these barriers further and explore the potential benefits of more robust participation from these resources across the globe.
Authors Anna Lafoyiannis