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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. A significant part of this is supporting more renewable energy sources. We aim to accommodate unprecedented levels of nonsynchronous renewable generation on the power system. This includes offshore wind, onshore wind and solar.

Doing this will bring some unique challenges. We need to make changes while maintaining a safe, secure power system.

Our approach

The Shaping Our Electricity Future roadmap includes system operations. It's divided into four main work streams.

Operational policy

The operational policy workstream involves undertaking operational studies and analysis. From this, we'll develop policies to facilitate the transition to 80% RES-E by 2030. We will achieve this by:

  • Identifying technical scarcities and operational needs
  • Developing operational protocols, policies and procedures
  • System studies to evolve key operational metrics including SNSP, inertia and system strength
  • Policies to operate the grid with new system services provision capabilities, operational systems and tools

Standards and services

This workstream ensures we have standards and frameworks to invest in the required capability. We'll achieve this by:

  • Clarifying the system technical needs
  • Bringing forward modifications to the Grid Code and working with DSOs on the Distribution Code
  • Developing technical requirements for the framework to procure system services
  • Publishing standards that service providers must meet
  • Developing a framework for flexible network management

Operational tools

This workstream involves delivering enhanced and new integrated control centre technologies. These support secure and efficient system operation with increased renewable energy. They also meet the needs of new demand, interconnectors, and scheduling and dispatch processes.

We'll achieve this by:

  • Identifying the needs for enhanced and new tools
  • Developing IT, data management and physical infrastructure to support these developments
  • Ensuring interfaces and data exchanges are in place with DSOs and other stakeholders
  • Ensuring appropriate training in using tools

Technology enablement

This workstream facilitates new technologies and innovations on the power system. We'll achieve this by:

  • Addressing the challenges of integrating large-scale storage technology
  • Facilitating system services from new RES, existing RES and small-scale flexible generation
  • Enabling demand side flexibility to maximise its potential
  • Engaging large energy users to investigate how they can contribute to system flexibility
  • Reviewing emerging technologies with industry and academia

Qualification Trial Process (QTP)

The Qualification Trial Process (QTP) is carried out by SONI together with EirGrid 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.

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