Statkraft has agreed to help further decarbonize the power sector in the UK and include a new approach to grid stability management.

GE’s rotating stabilizer technology will be installed by Statkraft UK at its Keith stability project in northeast Scotland. To the UK energy market, the deal comes at a crucial time as it adapts to a “new normal”, with the country’s energy mix seeing increases in renewable power.

GE Power Conversion will produce and build two rotating stabilizer synchronous machines at Statkraft’s site in Keith, Moray, to help implement this approach to grid stability management.

Statkraft, was awarded four stability contracts (2 at Keith and 2 at Lister Drive) by National Grid ESO (NGESO) earlier this year.

In delivering the National Grid ESO project, Statkraft UK and GE Power Conversion will provide stabilization services to help stabilize the electricity system, such as inertia, short circuit level and frequency.

GE’s Rotating Stabiliser solution provides a way to replace the stabilization services offered by conventional generation of thermal plants but without CO2 emissions. As a result, generation powered by fossil fuel does not need to run, which allows more renewable generation to operate, providing consumers with secure electrical power at a lower cost.

“We are delighted to have reached this critical milestone in providing stability services to the grid. Our project at Keith builds on our electricity market and renewables expertise and helps Statkraft deliver our vision of being a renewable energy system integrator.

“We are pleased to be leveraging GE’s vast experience to deliver this project and the stability contracts we have secured with National Grid ESO” said Guy Nicholson, Head of Grid Integration, Statkraft UK. “The Rotating Stabiliser solution provides a way to replace the inertia provided by traditional thermal plant generation but operating without carbon emissions.”

David Flood, managing director Statkraft UK.

“We’re delighted to be using our innovation skills and vast experience of rotating machines to be supporting a lower carbon path to meet the UK’s energy needs.”

Andy Cooper, managing director of GE’s Power Conversion UK business.

“The GB electricity system is one of the most advanced in the world, both in terms of reliability and the levels of renewable power, and we’re really excited to be adding to that with this new approach to operating the grid.

“Our contracts for stability services with providers such as Statkraft are cheaper and greener, reducing emissions and saving money for electricity consumers. This approach is the first of its kind anywhere in the world and is a huge step forward in our ambition to be able to operate the GB electricity system carbon free by 2025.“

Julian Leslie, head of networks at National Grid ESO.