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The country’s DSO announced use of the of the Interventional Reactive Power Control (IRB) tool to increase flexibility of its distribution network.
Enea calls the newly introduced IRB an important element in building a modern and flexible distribution network.
According to the system operator, the IRB is capable of dynamically responding to changing operating conditions and growing shares of distributed energy sources on the power grid.
This solution will support voltage management, which translates into reliable and stable system operation. The IRB will play a crucial role in maintaining voltage discipline, especially under conditions of high generation from renewable energy sources.
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In collaboration with generators, says Enea in a release, the tool will allow for the full utilisation of the regulatory capabilities of wind and photovoltaic farms, creating favourable conditions for maximum green energy production.
Enea Operator’s operational services maintain appropriate voltage levels by activating voltage characteristics, enabling largely autonomous regulation. Implementing the IRB will then allow for the full utilisation of the regulatory potential of sources connected to their grid.
Commenting in a release was Marek Szymankiewicz, CEO of Enea Operator: “The implementation of Interventional Reactive Power Control strengthens our portfolio of flexibility services, which we built in response to the challenges of the modern energy sector.
“Following the success of Interventional Active Power Supply, the time has come for a tool that allows us to respond to voltage regulation needs in the distribution grid. This is another crucial element in ensuring grid stability and energy security for our customers.”
Using the IRB
In the first stage, the IRB service will be available to generators connected to the 110kV grid who participate in the tender process announced by Enea Operator in September of this year, excluding generators connected to 110kV bays at LV/110kV nodes.
To provide the IRB service, a generator must meet the necessary minimum technical requirements specified in the Grid Code.
Entities meeting these conditions, which after the tender procedure will sign an agreement with Enea Operator for the provision of the IRB service, will receive additional remuneration for the implementation of reactive power control orders that go beyond the standard parameters specified in the distribution agreement.
In the case of IRB service implementation, if, as a result of Enea Operator’s instruction, the contractual capacity or tgφ (the tangent of the power factor angle) coefficient is exceeded, fees for such exceedances will not be charged.
This applies to both fees for exceeding the contractual capacity and for excessive reactive power consumption.
According to Enea, the implementation of IRB was possible thanks to several regulatory changes, such as changes to the IRiESD, which are effective from 7 January 2025, and the amendment to the Energy Law Act of 28 July 2023.
These changes, says the DSO, enabled the introduction of new intervention mechanisms and services that Enea Operator can use to ensure the proper functioning of the distribution network.
