SNSP

  • Low carbon generation

    In from the storm: Record wind generation in February

    February saw wind generation reach its highest recorded output in the SEM. This came in a month that saw the island of Ireland hit by two storms within a matter of days. Storms Dennis and Ciara brought with them strong winds, helping to weigh upon wholesale power prices throughout the...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    Operating the 2030 system: To 90% SNSP and beyond!

    Last week the Department of Communication, Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE) published the Climate Action Plan 2019, which sets out ambitious targets for Ireland to meet its decarbonisation obligations. For the electricity sector, this means 70% of all electricity generated will come from renewable sources by 2030. In this blog, we look at what...

  • Announcement

    Navigating I-SEM event – an industry up to the challenge

    The Irish and Northern Irish electricity sector is undergoing its most drastic change in a generation. The move to the Integrated Single Electricity Market (I-SEM) on 1 October will see the Irish and Northern Irish markets shift radically from the status quo. Against this backdrop, on Tuesday 18 September Cornwall...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    Just can’t get enough: Irish grid stability on a changing system

    Last week, EirGrid informed the market of another delay to the volume capped DS3 procurement. This mechanism is to allow the System Operator (SO) to obtain from the market system services necessary to balance the system. While the procurement delay may cause some disquiet in the market these commercial arrangements...

  • Low carbon generation

    “We are the champions” – Ireland hits 65% SNSP

    On 13 April, Eirgrid announced that it was now able to handle 65% variable (non-synchronous) renewable generation on the system at any given time. Eirgrid said in its statement that the island of Ireland’s power system is the first in the world to be able to accommodate this level of...

  • Low carbon generation

    Eirgrid and DS3 – a lot done, more to do

    On 29 March Eirgrid published its long-awaited consultation on the Delivering a Secure, Sustainable Electricity System (DS3) System Services Volume Capped Competitive Procurement. It provided some welcome detail on the next steps for DS3, but there are residual questions outstanding which make it difficult for current investors to ascertain risks...

  • Energy storage and flexibility

    What’s the frequency Kenneth? Rapid Eirgrid Management (REM) on a high wind system

    Last week saw the Irish Wind Energy Association’s (IWEA) spring conference, and far from being the end of the world as we know it, the sector feels fine. On 14 March, the sector set yet another record with 55% of that day’s electricity coming from wind generation. The overall possible...

  • Low carbon generation

    Ireland’s thermal plants sail into probing wind

    The level of wind penetration in Ireland is one of the highest in Europe. This has already had some major impacts on the market, including depressed wholesale prices; reduced running hours for some thermal plants; and curtailment of wind output. This week’s blog considers wider interactions of wind generation with...