Joint Frequency Stabilisation in Future 100% Renewable Electric Power Systems

Lisanne Reese (), Arne Rettig, Clemens Jauch, Richard Johannes Domin and Tom Karshüning
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Lisanne Reese: Wind Energy Technology Institute (WETI), Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, 24943 Flensburg, Germany
Arne Rettig: Wind Energy Technology Institute (WETI), Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, 24943 Flensburg, Germany
Clemens Jauch: Wind Energy Technology Institute (WETI), Flensburg University of Applied Sciences, 24943 Flensburg, Germany
Richard Johannes Domin: GreenTEC Campus GmbH, 25917 Enge-Sande, Germany
Tom Karshüning: GreenTEC Campus GmbH, 25917 Enge-Sande, Germany

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 2, 1-17

Abstract: Due to the energy transition, the future electric power system will face further challenges that affect the functionality of the electricity grid and therefore the security of supply. For this reason, this article examines the future frequency stabilisation in a 100% renewable electric power system. A focus is set on the provision of inertia and frequency containment reserve. Today, the frequency stabilisation in most power systems is based on synchronous generators. By using grid-forming frequency converters, a large potential of alternative frequency stabilisation reserves can be tapped. Consequently, frequency stabilisation is not a problem of existing capacities but whether and how these are utilised. Therefore, in this paper, a collaborative approach to realise frequency stabilisation is proposed. By distributing the required inertia and frequency containment reserve across all technologies that are able to provide it, the relative contribution of each individual provider is low. To cover the need for frequency containment reserve, each capable technology would have to provide less than 1% of its rated power. The inertia demand can be covered by the available capacities at a coverage ratio of 171% (excluding wind power) to 217% (all capacities). As a result, it is proposed that provision of frequency stabilisation is made mandatory for all capable technologies. The joint provision distributes the burden of frequency stabilisation across many participants and hence increases redundancy. It ensures the stability of future electricity grids, and at the same time, it reduces the technological and economic effort. The findings are presented for the example of the German electricity grid.

Keywords: electric power system; energy transition; frequency containment reserve; frequency stabilisation; inertia; renewable energy; synchronous stability (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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