System Operations
How we're developing our power system operations to better support renewable energy.
Evolving Our Power System
We're planning for the future of our power system across the island of Ireland.
A significant part of this is supporting more renewable energy sources.
The Government objective is to transition to 80% electricity from clean energy sources by 2030.
The aim is to accommodate unprecedented levels of nonsynchronous renewable generation onto the power system.
These sources of generation include offshore wind, onshore wind and solar.
This will bring some unique challenges. We need to make changes while maintaining a safe, secure power system.
Our Approach
Delivering on our renewable energy obligations will require a significant evolution in the operation of the power system.
It will bring challenges as we balance supporting renewable energy and keeping curtailment levels to a minimum.
The Shaping Our Electricity Future roadmap includes system operations. It is divided into four main work streams.
Operational Policy
The Operational Policy workstream aims to undertake operational studies and analysis. As part of this, we will develop operational policies to facilitate the transition to 80% RES-E by 2030 and beyond. We will achieve this by:
- Identifying technical scarcities and operational needs – both now and projected for the future
- Developing operational protocols, policies and procedures
- System studies to evolve key operational metrics including SNSP, inertia, minimum number of units and system strength
- Revising and developing operational policies to assist in operating the power system with new system services provision capabilities, operational systems and tools
Standards and Services
The Standards and Services workstream ensures we have the right operational standards and system services frameworks to support investment in required capability, ensuring we can reach 80% RES-E and 95% SNSP by 2030. We will achieve this by:
- Clarifying the system technical needs, both now and projected for the future
- Reviewing the Grid Code and bringing forward modifications (and working with the DSOs on the Distribution Code where appropriate)
- Developing technical requirements for the new commercial framework to procure system services
- Publishing standards that service providers must meet on an ongoing basis
- Developing a framework for flexible network management, incentivising the supply and demand sides to provide flexible network services and ease network congestion
Operational Tools
The Operational Tools workstream identifies and oversees the delivery of enhanced and new integrated control centre technologies and tools. These are needed to operate the system securely and efficiently with increased renewable energy. We will achieve this by:
- Identifying the needs for enhanced and new tools driven by changing demand, more renewable energy on the network, new interconnectors, and new scheduling and dispatch processes
- Developing the IT, data management and physical infrastructure required to support these developments
- Ensuring that relevant interfaces and data exchanges are in place with the DSOs and other stakeholders
- Ensuring appropriate training in the use of tools
Technology Enablement
The Technology Enablement workstream facilitates the development and integration of new technologies and innovations on the power system. This enables them to operate efficiently and effectively. We will achieve this by:
- Addressing the challenges associated with the integration of large-scale storage technology
- Facilitating the provision of system services from new and existing RES as well as small-scale flexible generation
- Enabling demand side flexibility to maximise its potential
- Engaging with large energy users to investigate the potential for large energy users to contribute to system flexibility
- Proactively engaging with industry and academia to review emerging technologies which are not covered by the other work streams
Qualification Trial Process (QTP)
The Qualification Trial Process (QTP) is carried out by EirGrid together with SONI to assess new and emerging technologies for the provision of System Services in Ireland and/or System Support Services in Northern Ireland. Under the SEM Committee decision SEM‑22‑012 (April 2022), the TSOs are required to publish a Call for Information at least annually to engage with industry and inform the design of future qualification trials. The Call for Information is typically expected to be published in Q2 (around May–June).
The QTP provides a structured pathway for technologies to demonstrate capability under real system conditions, while enabling the TSOs to assess operational impacts and integration requirements.
In practice:
- Technologies already classified as proven in the Proven Technology List may proceed through the standard System Services/ System Support Services qualification and procurement processes. These technologies are expected to have the necessary Grid Code requirements in place; where a technology is not yet included in the Grid Code, further development of appropriate requirements may be required.
- Technologies not included on the Proven Technology List may require further assessment before being considered as proven. This may include participation in the Qualification Trial Process (QTP), as well as the development of appropriate Grid Code or market arrangements, to demonstrate capability under real system conditions. These technologies may be considered capable in principle of providing certain System Services/ System Support Services, but are not yet enabled to participate.
The Proven Technology List is maintained as a living document and is reviewed and updated on an annual basis. Any changes to the list are reflected through the Call for Information, providing transparency to industry on technology status and informing future qualification trials. The overall Qualification Trial Process and the role of the Proven Technology List are presented together to provide a clear and consistent view of technology eligibility and the pathway to demonstrating System Services/ System Support Services capability.
Participation in a QTP trial is subject to defined requirements, including evidence of connection or a credible pathway to connection and, where relevant, engagement with the DSO/DNO. Technologies are assessed based on their performance under real system conditions, including response to system events and dispatch instructions, and participants are required to provide structured reporting throughout the trial.
QTP trials are typically designed as targeted, innovation‑focused activities based on insights and proposals received through the Call for Information and ongoing engagement with industry, with a defined scope, duration, and scale, a maximum trial budget of €400,000, and a limited number of participants.
The overall process typically includes publication of a Call for Information, followed by the design of trials and procurement where applicable, trial implementation and performance assessment, and the evaluation and publication of key learnings to inform future System Services/ System Support Services development.
Latest Publications: