Transmission networks for accelerated energy transition: role of flexibility

Bulk renewable power generation which includes utility-scale onshore and offshore wind farms, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass facilities requires access to a transmission network and is located far from end users. This large-scale bulk power, i.e. a centralized generation, is crucial for balancing supply and demand and keeping the grid stable. The net-zero transition also requires grid-scale energy storage to cope with the fluctuations and unpredictability of renewable energy sources. With the growing renewable integration, there is a significant increase in the number of flexible connections requiring managed access to the transmission system. The large-scale integration of these Low Carbon Technologies (LCTs), causes transmission network constraints, driven by technical limits on the network. Given the increased uncertainty introduced by LCTs, power system planning and operational flexibility are the need of the hour to respond efficiently to changes in supply and demand while also ensuring reliability of power supply. The paper gathers experience across the industry and discusses the need for flexibility and automated control schemes in transmission like Smart Operational Intertripping (SOIT) and Transmission Active Network Management (TANM) to accelerate the net zero transition. Traditionally, the System Operator (SO) has the role of controlling power flows via the balancing mechanism, operating transmission assets for regulating power flow, and performing other such tasks. A smart and flexible transmission network would require a synergistic effort between the SO and the Transmission Operator (TO) to manage the grid, ultimately delivering net advantages to the consumer. The paper discusses the principles, technical & commercial considerations and data exchange to facilitate the most optimal techno-economic approach to operating a flexible transmission grid.