Fingrid selects 550MW of wind for reserve market study

Finnish transmission system operator (TSO) Fingrid has selected three power companies for its pilot study of wind farms' participation in the automated power reserve market, with 550MW of wind capacity taking part.

The TSO has selected Estonian renewable energy company Enefit Green, trading firm Centrica Energy and investment firm Prime Capital to take part in the automated frequency reserve market — a mechanism that automatically provides stability to the network.

"The significant increase in wind power may at times cause electricity production to consist largely of wind power and nuclear power. Therefore, the participation of wind power in the reserve market is important," Fingrid said.

The study will be implemented this year and could continue into 2024 if necessary.

Fingrid began the application process for the pilot in November last year, which will analyse capabilities, limitations and transmission controls for wind farms.

Participants were chosen based on how long operators decided to use their wind farms for the study, the capacity of the plants and their feasibility for use in the reserve capacity market.

Construction of wind farms in Finland continue to rise year on year, with the country installing 2.43GW of wind capacity in 2022, more than triple the additions from the previous year, lifting total wind capacity to 5.67GW. As a result, average onshore wind generation increased to about 1.26GW in 2022, up from 902MW in 2021 and 795MW in 2020.

By Makani Joinville