Grid-forming capabilities for more resilient and RES-based electricity grids

Expected Outcome

Project results are expected to contribute to all the following expected outcomes:

• Improved preparedness of the electricity grids to support the EU's binding target for 2030 of minimum 42.5% renewables in gross final energy consumption, with the aspiration to reach 45% by 2030 and full decarbonisation by 2050;
• Increased resilience and flexibility of electricity grids, which are able to better manage high shares of variable renewable energy systems (RES);
• Transmission system operators (TSO) and Distribution system operators (DSO) develop and use modern procedures and techniques for maintaining grid stability and secure operation;
• Seamless integration of power electronics-interfaced devices (PEID) in modern grids.

Scope

Projects are expected to address all the following items:

• Develop new and improved knowledge and insights into the synthetic inertia, frequency control, very fast voltage support, and overall support to the system stability offered by grid-forming inverters (GFIs). Develop and/or update relevant models and simulation tools;
• Develop and demonstrate innovative grid control and grid-forming solutions that leverage the capabilities of GFIs with the view to enable mass deployment of GFIs;
• Address use cases for both transmission- and distribution-level grids, ranging from applications used in residential and commercial domains up to the use in large RES generators (PV or wind) and grid-scale battery storage systems. They could also consider solutions that include LVDC microgrids that are connected to the main AC grids;
• Take a system-wise approach, including control strategies that can effectively encompass wider areas;
• Develop interoperability between different solutions and products from different GFI manufacturers. Devise standardised approaches through the use of hardware in the loop and advanced simulation models for GFIs;
• Leverage modern solutions, including digital twins and artificial intelligence. Use and/or develop, to the greatest extent possible, open-source software solutions and or software modules.
• Develop a manual and propose best practices on this matter to be used by TSOs and DSOs. Propose sets of standardised technical requirements for GFIs, test models and procedures for verification of compliance (for the use of TSOs and DSOs) Identify remaining gaps and further needs for research and development. Suggest market conditions and/or opportunities that would incentivise the deployment at scale of GFIs.

The demonstration, test and validation of the activities must be carried out in at least two pilots in different EU Member States or Associated Countries. The pilots are expected to address diverse solutions (including voltage levels and geographical landscapes).

Projects are expected to include at least: one electricity TSO, two DSOs, one provider of technology that includes GFIs, one RES-based energy producer, and one university and/or research organisation.

Additionally, collaboration is encouraged with:

• one or more suppliers of GFIs, with the aim to cover the whole range of products intended to be connected to both transmission and distribution voltage levels;
• at least one grid-scale battery storage system operator
• at least one aggregator that manages distributed energy resources that include GFIs.

This collaboration (minimum number of entities) is sought per project in total and does not necessarily apply per each pilot in particular.

Selected projects are expected to contribute to the BRIDGE initiative[1] and actively participate in its activities.

Proposals are encouraged to consider, where relevant, services offered by European research infrastructures[2], as well as related projects offering access to research infrastructures in the electricity grid domain- particularly RISEnergy[3].

International cooperation is encouraged, especially with Mediterranean countries other than the EU and with Latin America and the Caribbean.

Activities are expected to achieve TRL 6-7 by the end of the project - see General Annex B. Activities may start at any TRL.

[1] https://bridge-smart-grid-storage-systems-digital-projects.ec.europa.eu/

[2] The catalogue of European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI) research infrastructures portfolio can be browsed from ESFRI website https://ri-portfolio.esfri.eu/

[3] RISE Energy- Homepage -