Grid stability in action: projects from around the world
Power systems are changing, and so is the way they are kept stable. Agora Energiewende’s new showcase brings together grid-forming and other stability projects from around the world, illustrating the range of technologies that help support reliable, secure electricity systems across different contexts.
For decades, large power plants with spinning generators have helped keep electricity grids stable. Whether powered by coal, gas or hydropower, these heavy mechanical machines spin in step with the grid’s frequency, and the machines’ momentum helps slow any sudden changes. Their electrical properties also support system strength and voltage control.
Power systems today are changing as economies become cleaner and more electrified. More technologies are connecting to the grid through electronics instead, including batteries, wind, solar and, increasingly, data centres. As the mix of technologies on the grid evolves, so too are the ways in which stability can be provided.
One such solution is grid-forming controls, which allow electronic inverter-based resources such as batteries, solar and wind plants to actively establish and support voltage and frequency, rather than simply following the grid’s existing signals. In this way, they can provide the stability services traditionally associated with conventional generators.
A growing range of grid-forming technologies is already being deployed around the world. To gather this experience and draw out lessons for future power system planning, Agora Energiewende has developed the resource: “How modern grids stay stable: a global project showcase”, in collaboration with the Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG).
Stability requirements vary between power systems
Projects in the showcase are displayed as interactive cards, grouped into five technology categories: batteries, static synchronous compensators (STATCOMs), high-voltage direct current (HVDC) links, renewable plants and synchronous machines. The first four use grid-forming controls to provide stability services, while synchronous machines provide similar services through the physical characteristics of their spinning machines.
The showcase is not intended as an exhaustive inventory. Instead, it brings together selected projects that illustrate different approaches across geographical regions, power system conditions, applications and regulatory and market contexts. The 31 projects span 12 countries and multiple regions around the world, with each project highlighting something distinctive – from a first deployment or new technology to a significant scale-up or different system context. The selection draws on a comprehensive ESIG database, complemented by further research.
Each project card sets out the challenge the power system faced and follows the decision-making process through to the solution that was chosen. The cards also show the options considered, the enabling framework, costs, timeline and lessons learned. This places each technology choice in its wider system context: the appropriate solution depends on factors including the generation mix, network characteristics and existing infrastructure. In some cases, a single technology can address the identified need; in others, several technologies are combined.
Building experience for the next generation of power systems
The projects in the showcase provide examples of how stability needs are assessed and how solutions moved from planning to implementation. The deployment of advanced stability solutions is still at an early stage. This makes the experience of individual projects particularly valuable for understanding how new approaches work in practice, and how they can be scaled.
Technology choice is a key element of maintaining grid stability, but regulatory and institutional frameworks – including grid codes, system planning processes, procurement mechanisms and the responsibilities of network operators – determine which solutions are available, how they are procured and how their services are valued. The technologies needed to provide stability services are already available, while the frameworks for procuring and remunerating those capabilities are still evolving.
As more power systems reach higher shares of inverter-based generation, these experiences can inform future planning and investment decisions. The showcase brings this experience together in a common reference for policymakers, planners, regulators, system operators, developers and technical experts, supporting informed decisions on the technologies, planning approaches and enabling frameworks needed for stable power systems.
How modern grids stay stable: a global project showcase was developed by Agora Energiewende in collaboration with the Energy Systems Integration Group (ESIG). It includes an embedded glossary of relevant power system terminology and is available as a free interactive resource below.
