Litgrid, PSE conduct first synchronous connection test

Spanish Market: Electricity
09/12/21

Lithuania and Poland have successfully conducted the first ever synchronised operation test on their power systems, and with the synchronous zone of continental Europe, the countries transmission system operators (TSOs) said.

The test started early on 4 December and lasted about 10 hours.

Electricity consumers were not negatively affected by the test and were supplied with electricity without any disturbances, the Polish and Lithuanian TSOs said.

"The test marks a turning point in the Baltic states' synchronisation with continental Europe," Lithuanian energy minister Dainius Kreivys said. "It shows that we are now safe if something happens and will be able to receive swift synchronised assistance in case of an emergency with the assistance of the Polish and European continental networks."

The Baltic states are currently part of the post-Soviet BRELL system — which includes Russia and Belarus. They plan to fully complete the synchronisation of their power grids with continental Europe by the end of 2025.

By Linas Jegelevicius

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14/07/25

Brazil looks to biomethane for transit fuel

Sao Paulo, 14 July (Argus) — Turning Brazil's biomethane potential into a scalable fuel for urban transit, given its cost premium to competing options, could take long-term purchase contracts, tax credits and investment in distribution networks. Brazil has started testing biomethane in buses, with multiple projects in different regions, including the city of Sao Paulo, which has nearly 14,000 buses in its municipal fleet. "If we consider just 10pc of that fleet, we will need around 110,000 m³/d of biomethane," said Ricardo Vallejo, head of market intelligence at natural gas company Commit. The pilot project's main objective is to verify operations, such as if engines running on biomethane meet power, torque and other specifications and avoid other problems, Vallejo said. Espirito Santo state's government used biomethane for two public transport lines in partnership with bus manufacturer Volare. It has developed a new model to run on natural gas and biomethane, with a range of up to 450km (280 miles). But the model is 40pc more expensive than Volare's conventional diesel-fueled bus. Goias state's government ran an 87-day test with biomethane-fueled buses starting in March. It used biomethane produced in the region through partnerships with ethanol companies Jalles Machado and Albioma and referenced a cost of R4.4/km ($0.7896/km), or R3.04/km excluding biomethane delivery costs. This puts biomethane costs above those of both diesel and electric vehicles, which were referenced at R3.11/km and R2.64/km, respectively, for the test comparisons. But state incentives for biomethane could make it competitive even with higher fuel prices, according to the deputy secretary of Goias, Miguel Angelo Pricinote. Goias' tax incentives include ICMS VAT-like credits of 85pc for operations inside the state and 90pc credits with other states, he said. "We acknowledge challenges such as the cost and environmental footprint associated with transporting biomethane via trucks as well as the need to scale up production to continuously meet contracted demand," Pricinote said. By Rebecca Gompertz Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Brazil's CNPE to regulate gas infrastructure costs

14/07/25

Brazil's CNPE to regulate gas infrastructure costs

Sao Paulo, 14 July (Argus) — Brazil's national energy policy council CNPE will define the conditions and prices for market participants to access state-owned PPSA's natural gas flow, treatment and transportation infrastructure, the government said. The government published the decision in a provisional measure on 11 July. Market participants expect the measure to lower costs for gas producers, who accuse PPSA of charging anti-competitive prices for infrastructure access. The provisional measure also revoked the government's obligation to contract thermoelectric plants , which should ease demand for gas in Brazil during periods of low rainfall. The measure eliminates a requirement from the Eletrobras privatization law to contract thermoelectric plants. The government will no longer be required to contract thermoelectric capacity and can instead contract small hydroelectric plants. The government can contract up to 3GW of small hydroelectric plants in capacity reserve auctions until 2026. The provisional measure also limited the CDE charge, a tariff used to fund the country's energy policy. The limit aimed to contain the increase in electricity bills caused by overturning vetoes to the country's offshore wind law. The measure established a budget cap for the CDE starting in 2026. If costs exceed this limit, consumers will no longer pay the difference. Instead, the direct beneficiaries of the subsidies — energy distributors, generators and traders — will be responsible for covering the excess. A new resource supplementary charge mechanism will be created for this purpose and phased in, with 50pc of the amount levied in 2027 and 100pc as of 2028. By Gabriel Tassi Lara Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

UK must accelerate net-zero investment: Operator

14/07/25

UK must accelerate net-zero investment: Operator

London, 14 July (Argus) — The UK must accelerate investment and planning in clean energy systems over the next five years or risk falling behind its 2050 net-zero targets, the country's grid operator Neso said in its Future Energy Scenarios 2025 report. Neso outlined four stages, or "waves", of the UK's transition to a low-carbon energy system — "foundation" (pre-2025), "acceleration" (2025-30), "growth" (2030-40) and "horizon" (2040-50) — representing a timeline from early-technology deployment to full-system decarbonisation. The report identifies the 2025-30 period as a critical "acceleration wave", when the UK must significantly scale up renewables, electrify transport and heating, expand grid capacity and invest in hydrogen and carbon capture infrastructure. Neso warned that without this acceleration, the country risks falling into a high-cost, fossil fuel-dependent pathway which fails to achieve net-zero. All four stages could play out along four possible scenarios, three of which achieve the UK's climate goals by 2050 through varying combinations of electrification, low-carbon fuels, consumer engagement and infrastructure development, according to the report. A fourth scenario, described as "falling behind", reflects slower action and results in continued reliance on fossil fuels, greater costs and missed targets. Across all successful scenarios, electricity demand more than doubles by 2050, driven by the widespread adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), heat pumps and electrification in industrial processes. Installed renewable capacity must increase by at least four times, with offshore and onshore wind and solar generation providing the backbone of the future power system. In the most hydrogen-intensive scenario, low-carbon hydrogen production reaches 119 TWh/yr by mid-century, supporting decarbonisation in sectors that are harder to electrify, such as heavy industry, freight and aviation. Energy efficiency and flexible demand will play a "critical" role in balancing the system and reducing peak loads, Neso said. The operator projected active consumer participation — through measures such as smart EV charging and time-shifting of heat pump usage — could reduce peak electricity demand by over 50pc compared with unmanaged consumption patterns. Whole-system energy use could fall by 18pc if efficiency technologies and behaviour changes are fully realised. The report also highlighted the shift to a decarbonised energy system requires significant capital investment, particularly over the next two decades. Neso estimated system-wide investment will rise sharply, but notes that these costs will be offset by lower operational expenses and reduced exposure to fossil fuel markets. The report does not include full costings, but the operator committed to publishing a technical annex with financial modelling later in the year. By Timothy Santonastaso Winter 2024 typical weekly generation by hour GW Winter 2050 typical weekly generation by hour GW Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

Southeast Asia targets regional power grid by 2045

14/07/25

Southeast Asia targets regional power grid by 2045

Singapore, 14 July (Argus) — Members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) have announced their target to establish the Asean power grid by 2045, and reaffirmed their commitment to enhance energy interconnection. The bloc aims to establish the regional power grid to ensure a secure and interconnected low-carbon regional energy future, according to a joint statement released following an Asean foreign ministers' meeting last week in Malaysia. As part of this, members will also sign an enhanced memorandum of understanding for the development of the Asean power grid, and endorse the terms of reference of a subsea power cable development framework this year. The Asean power grid is a cross-border initiative aimed at helping the region source and share electricity, especially against the backdrop of rising energy demand because of economic growth. The group also acknowledged the progress of the Lao PDR-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore power integration project (LTMS-PIP), as well as the Brunei Darussalam-Indonesia-Malaysia-Philippines power integration project (BIMP-PIP). The LTMS-PIP is being enhanced under its second phase to double the capacity traded to 200MW, Singapore's Energy Market Authority announced last year. The group also reaffirmed its commitment to enhance energy interconnection by accelerating the establishment of a trans-Asean gas pipeline, Asean petroleum security agreement, and carbon capture, utilisation and storage. The Asean Centre for Energy on 11 July secured NZ$200,000 ($119,800) from New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade to support the implementation of the Asean plan of action for energy co-operation (APAEC). The APAEC serves as the region's blueprint for energy co-operation and the document sets out strategies and action plans to enhance regional connectivity and market integration. The grant from New Zealand will support activities and initiatives related to the Asean power grid, renewable energy and regional energy and policy planning. More details were not provided. By Prethika Nair Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

DOE to halt wind transmission line: US senator

11/07/25

DOE to halt wind transmission line: US senator

Houston, 11 July (Argus) — President Donald Trump's administration has pledged to halt an 800-mile transmission line designed to deliver wind power from Kansas to eastern states, according to a US senator. US energy secretary Chris Wright has said he "will be putting a stop" to the Grain Belt Express transmission line, senator Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) said on Thursday via the X social media platform. Hawley has made repeated calls for the Department of Energy (DOE) to cancel a $4.9bn conditional loan awarded to the project in the waning days of former president Joe Biden's administration. The senator has called the project an "elitist land grab harming Missouri farmers and ranchers". Whether Wright pledged to rescind the loan or take other action to stop work on Grain Belt Express was not immediately clear from Hawley's statement. Neither the senator's office nor DOE immediately responded to requests for additional information. Hawley's statement is "bizarre", according to Invenergy, the Chicago-based developer behind the project. The company said that the transmission line has already received approvals from all four states that it will traverse, acquired 1,500 agreements with landowners tied to construction and announced "significant" supply chain agreements for materials sourced domestically. "Senator Hawley is attempting to kill the largest transmission infrastructure project in US history, which is already approved by four states and is aligned with the president's energy dominance agenda," the company said. The Grain Belt Express would deliver wind power from Kansas to converter stations in Missouri and Indiana, with the Missouri station connecting to grids overseen by the Associated Electric Cooperative and Midcontinent Independent System Operator (MISO), while the Indiana station links with the PJM Interconnection. Invenergy plans to build the project in two phases, with the first delivering 2,500MW into Missouri and the second ferrying another 2,500MW to the PJM region, which includes the District of Columbia and 13 states in the Midwest and mid-Atlantic. DOE in November 2024 awarded the project a conditional loan of up to $4.9bn to help finance the initial stage as part of Biden's larger push to decarbonize the electricity sector. Invenergy intends to start construction on the first phase next year. Ultimately, the line would supply 15mn MWh/yr to Missouri, with 60pc of the capacity allocated to MISO and the remainder to the Associated Electric Cooperative. Another 15mn MWh/yr would flow into the PJM markets. Altogether, the line would supply enough electricity to cover the demand of more than 2.8mn households. Landowner groups in Missouri have long targeted the Grain Belt Express, but have failed to stymie the project through a challenge to its use of eminent domain . Opponents have since continued their efforts against the project, and Missouri attorney general Andrew Bailey, a Republican, last week called on state utility regulators to rescind the line's permit on grounds that Invenergy relied on "deceptive" information to secure its approval. By Patrick Zemanek Send comments and request more information at feedback@argusmedia.com Copyright © 2025. Argus Media group . All rights reserved.

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Litgrid, PSE conduct first synchronous connection test

Related news posts

Brazil looks to biomethane for transit fuel

Brazil looks to biomethane for transit fuel

Brazil's CNPE to regulate gas infrastructure costs

Brazil's CNPE to regulate gas infrastructure costs

UK must accelerate net-zero investment: Operator

UK must accelerate net-zero investment: Operator

Southeast Asia targets regional power grid by 2045

Southeast Asia targets regional power grid by 2045

DOE to halt wind transmission line: US senator

DOE to halt wind transmission line: US senator

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