Northern Powergrid — BESS Integration Policy
Policy development for large-scale BESS integration on distribution networks
The challenge
Aurora was approached by Northern Powergrid (NPg) to help develop its policy and understanding of how large-scale BESS integration could affect distribution network operation and performance. The project was undertaken as part of a Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) programme.
What Aurora did
We reviewed the existing NPg policy documents and discussed potential shortcomings in assessing BESS operating at fixed non-unity power factor, unity power factor and voltage control modes. In parallel, we considered the impact of aggregated disturbances associated with coincident BESS behaviour responding to similar market signals from the Balancing Mechanism or Dynamic Containment, Dynamic Regulation and Dynamic Moderation services. Finally, we developed a DIgSILENT PowerFactory tool to allow simple RMS simulations and network assessments of BESS performance before an offer is made.