Ireland

Enabling grid stability: Moneypoint case study

Low Carbon Solutions

The Project

Ireland’s grid is evolving. Powered traditionally by thermal coal, gas, oil and hydro plants, the grid is transitioning to be primarily powered by renewables comprising wind, hydro, solar and battery storage systems.

The transition process is driven by EU Renewable Energy targets and ESB’s target to achieve net zero carbon by 2040

The variable nature of non-synchronous renewable generation provides challenges to maintaining grid stability. Innovative solutions are required as generation becomes dominated by renewables. The displacement of the thermal plant by intermittent renewable generation has led to an increasing risk of power system instability at times of elevated levels of renewables generation.

Moneypoint

What we achieved

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The project was delivered within budget entering commercial operation in April 2023

ESB secured an ancillary services contract in October 2022
The plant provides frequency and voltage support to provide stability when renewables dominate the grid. It also provides significant short circuit current to ensure protection devices function correctly when needed.
By enabling renewables and removing thermal plant from the grid, this project supports ESB’s target for Zero Carbon by 2040 and Irelands Net Zero by 2050.

The Results

The Synchronous Condenser manufactured by Siemens Energy is the largest flywheel installation in the world. The 130-tonne flywheel coupled to the 68-tonne rotor of the synchronous condenser provides 4000 MWs of inertia to the grid.
This inertia provides stability to the grid during frequency events. Reactive power capability of the unit operates between 260MVA lagging to 111MVAr leading to support voltage control.

The Services we provided

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Solutions Evaluation

Completed power system studies to determine optimal location.
Completed technology assessment and due diligence of flywheel scaling including engagement with OEMs.

Design integration of synchronous condenser and flywheel into existing plant system.
The Engineering and Major Projects (EMP) team completed short circuit studies and reactive power capability studies to minimise any effect the synchronous condenser would have on the existing thermal unit.
The EMP team presented a protection and control design concept to the OEM to allow existing Operations and Maintenance (O&M) practices in Moneypoint station to remain as is.

OEM used this concept and expanded it into their detailed design.
Planning and Licensing

Secured grid connection from Transmission System Operator via shared grid connection of existing plant.
Prepared, submitted, and secured planning permission and engaged with key stakeholders (EPA, County Council).

Procurement

Prepared tender package including detailed engineering specification, tender evaluation, contract negotiation & award.
Implementation

Detailed design review and quality management including attendance at factory acceptance testing.
Project and construction management services.
Site management within existing operational power plant.

Commissioning services on integration with existing plant, commissioning supervision of EPC contractor.
Grid code compliance testing with TSO.
Prepared handover package including safety file to Plant O&M team and training.

Thanks to ESB’s commitment to our Net Zero strategy Ireland is now leading the world on the large scale integration of non-synchronous renewable and renewable enabling technologies. Successful completion of the Moneypoint Synchronous condenser project in 2023 is not only the first large scale synchronous condenser in Ireland it is the largest such unit in the world.

Katie Wall Lead Project Engineer ESB Engineering and Major Projects