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Our response to coronavirus
Find out how we're working to keep Great Britain’s lights on reliably throughout the outbreak
ESO
System Operability Framework (SOF)
The System Operability Framework (SOF) takes a holistic view of the changing energy landscape to assess the future operation of Britain's electricity networks. The SOF combines insight from the Future Energy Scenarios with a programme of technical assessments to identify medium-term and long-term requirements for operability.
Evolving year-on-year
Through extensive industry interaction, the SOF evolves year‑on‑year to meet changing operational and stakeholder needs.
Growth of low carbon and renewable generation, closures of conventional thermal power stations and changing interactions across the whole of the power system are just a few of the areas considered in the context of a rapidly changing power system.
Operability Strategy Report 2020
The Operability Strategy Report summarises our work towards meeting the future operability challenges, the link to zero carbon operation, and how stakeholders can engage to help achieve this.
The potential operability benefits of Virtual Synchronous Machines and related technologies
We at National Grid ESO are always looking at ways to enable new technologies to connect to the network in the most safe, secure and efficient manner. This report discusses how new technologies can support system stability by adopting Virtual Synchronous Machine (VSM) technologies and associated control approaches which will enable transition to a zero carbon system.
Operability Impact of Distributed Storage and Electric Vehicles
The high penetration of these devices would alter the demand seen by ESO control centre and impact the system operability. With appropriate market and framework design, storage and electric vehicles will be able to support electricity system operation and be enablers to the decarbonization transition.
Download the operability impact of distributed storage and electric vehicles document
Operating a Low Inertia System
We are always looking at how to best operate the network, as we see reductions in system inertia. We have processes in place for managing each operability challenge. We are already looking to address the future challenges we see ahead of us as we transition to a zero carbon system.
Download the operating a low inertia system document
Past Frequency Events
We control frequency by balancing electricity supply and demand. Occasionally we see a large loss of generation or demand which can cause a swing in system frequency. This report provides the brief summary of significant frequency events which has previously been provided in the System Incident report to the Grid Code Review Panel.
Download the past frequency events document
Impact of declining short circuit levels
We are identifying and quantifying system requirements which are affected by reductions in Short Circuit Level and we share some of our work in this document.
Download the Impact of declining SCLs document
Whole system short circuit level
Short circuit levels on the distribution networks are increasing driven by the growth in distributed generation and demand. This report looks at how these two trends interact and their net effect on the whole system.
Download the whole system SCL document
Regional Trends and Insights
Changes in the generation and demand are effecting how the power system is operated on a regional basis.
Find out about our latest analysis by downloading the report.
Download the regional trends and insights document
Voltage and Frequency Dependency
Traditionally, voltage and frequency have been treated independently when considering operability. In the future, they will interact more.
Find out about our latest analysis by downloading the report.