Developed in partnership with Accenture, the tool informs utilities’ and grid operators’ decisions on how to maintain grid inertia as renewable generators are added to electrical grids

Reactive Technologies (“Reactive”), the company behind the world’s most accurate grid measurement tools that are speeding and simplifying operators’ transition to a net zero carbon grid, announced the debut of its System Value Analysis tool today, on the eve of the International Utility and Energy Conference (IUEC) in Rome. The tool uses examples and lessons learned from Reactive’s work with National Grid ESO, the grid operator for the GB power system. The tool shows the value of measuring grid inertia for utilities, grid operators, and distribution network operators (DNOs) in Europe and around the world. The tool will be available during Accenture’s International Utilities and Energy Conference (IUEC) from June 21 to 23.

The ongoing global transition to net zero carbon electric grids involves adding renewable generators, which often replace carbon-intensive fossil fuel generators. While these no- and low-carbon renewable energy sources have many benefits in addition to curbing climate change, they also introduce new challenges for utilities and grid operators. It is more difficult to track the performance of a power grid as the share of renewable generators on that grid increases. 

In particular, a grid’s inertia–the ability of generators to maintain a steady power supply in the face of disruptions–can be negatively impacted by the addition of renewable power sources. To support utilities and grid operators as they track their grids’ performance more closely and seek to measure inertia more precisely, Reactive offers a suite of hardware and software products that provide the world’s most accurate measurements of grid inertia and other operational components. Reactive’s flagship offering is its Grid-Sonar™ tool, which provides the world’s only direct, real-time measurement of grid inertia, replacing the imprecise models and estimates used by most grid operators today. 

“Every stakeholder in the grid management sector is approaching the energy transition in their own way and at their own speed. But no matter the approach, measuring inertia and other grid stability metrics is crucial to a safe, cost-effective move toward net zero that maintains or improves grid resilience,” said Chris Kimmett, Chief Operating Officer at Reactive. “With the System Value Analysis tool, we’re offering a glimpse into how our technology can inform decisions that maintain reliable and resilient grid operation while also lowering costs and moving toward a zero-carbon future.”

Developed with Reactive’s strategic investor and partner Accenture, the System Value Analysis Tool demonstrates how Reactive can provide measurements that address three key concerns of electric utilities and grid operators: grid security and resilience, the transition to clean grids, and costs. Mr. Kimmett and other experts from Reactive’s team will be on hand at IUEC to lead interested parties through the tool and discuss how Grid-Sonar™ and other Reactive resources can facilitate a faster, safer, more affordable grid transition.

“Reactive Technologies’ accurate, real-time measurements of grid inertia and other grid functions can help our customers maintain a reliable grid while controlling or even reducing costs,” said Gregorio Ogliaro, Managing Director of Global Utility Transmission at Accenture. “With the accelerating transition to zero carbon grids, those measurements have never been more valuable to grid operators. The System Value tool provides a customized insight into what the measurements can do for each grid stakeholder.”