UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Great Britain’s energy operator Neso boosts real-time monitoring and protocols to prevent blackouts, ensuring grid resilience after Iberian outages.
As reported by The Guardian, Great Britain’s energy operator Neso said it has upgraded grid monitoring to future-proof the nation’s low-carbon power network.
What steps is Neso taking to prevent blackouts after Spain’s outage?
Following the April power cuts in Spain and Portugal, the National Energy System Operator launched measures to tackle grid fluctuations that might cause blackouts.
The Iberian Peninsula faced multiple disturbances in April, forcing power plants to disconnect from the grid. The cause of the zero-voltage collapse is expected to be revealed in an official report.
Electric cuts in Spain left homes and businesses powerless for almost two days, affecting events like the Madrid Open. The power failure raised questions over managing a renewable-focused electricity network compared with thermal grids.
On Tuesday, Neso pledged new real-time monitoring using a “mathematical methodology” to detect issues that could trigger blackouts.
Neso, the publicly owned operator, plans protocols to restore power after a nationwide blackout, aiming to meet the government’s deadline next year.
What did Craig Dyke say about Neso’s role in grid maintenance?
Craig Dyke, the director of operations, stated,
“Even though Great Britain has one of the most reliable networks in the world – a record Neso, network operators and the whole energy industry work tirelessly to maintain – exploring every opportunity for learning and improvement is essential.”
He added,
“Indeed, Neso would be guilty of complacency if we did not reflect on what happened in April, even though the GB network was unaffected.”
What did Michael Shanks say about Britain’s energy grid security?
Energy minister Michael Shanks said Britain’s grid is secure, resilient, and protected with strong safeguards to prevent similar power cuts.
He added,
“We have a diverse and robust energy system and – alongside Neso – maintaining and strengthening it is our top priority and it is right that we have now examined any lessons.”
How will Ofgem’s new storage projects boost renewables and cut costs?
The energy regulator, Ofgem, says selected storage projects will help maximise renewables and cut the costs of unused wind power.
A total of 77 projects, including lithium-ion, flow, sugar-based “super batteries” and pumped-hydro storage, will be considered for a funding scheme backed by bill-payers to promote innovation and manage risk.
What did Beatrice Filkin say about boosting renewable energy storage?
Beatrice Filkin, director of major projects infrastructure for Ofgem, stated,
“Renewable power is the key to seizing control of our own energy system and ending the costly reliance on the turbulent wholesale gas market, so we don’t want to see a single watt go to waste.”
She added,
“That’s why we need to boost our ability to store as much homegrown energy as we can to let the turbines keep turning when the wind is at its strongest – and on the days when the gusts drop and the sun doesn’t shine, that reserve of excess clean power can be called upon.”
What did Michael Shanks say about Britain’s new long-duration energy storage?
Michael Shanks stated,
“This is another huge step forward in reversing the legacy that has seen no new long duration storage built for 40 years – a technology that will see Britain take back control of its energy supply and protect billpayers for good.”
He added,
“By scaling this up, we can transform the way electricity is supplied in this country when demand is high – using stored up low-cost, homegrown solar and wind power to help end our reliance on costly fossil fuel markets once and for all.”
How much will Britain’s energy bills rise in October?
The October energy price cap is set to rise sharply, driven mainly by increased government-imposed costs.
Ofgem has announced that the average British household using direct debit will see its gas and electricity bills rise by 2%. This increase adds around £2.93 per month, bringing the typical annual bill to £1,755.