Fingrid Acquires GE Vernova Load Frequency Control to Meet European Grid Balancing Mandates

Fingrid, the national electricity transmission grid operator in Finland, purchased the Load Frequency Control (LFC) solution from GE Vernova’s Grid Software business to help Fingrid prepare to meet the requirements of the Nordic Balancing Model project. Transmission System Operators (TSOs) across the region are required to address LFC mandated by newly issued regulations for Electricity Balancing.

The Nordic Balancing Model (NBM), a comprehensive restructuring of power system operation necessary to uphold socioeconomic value of 200+ million euros per year from the common Nordic balancing markets and operations, ensures integration of renewable energy and coupling with European balancing market platforms. The NBM program will develop and implement operational processes and associated IT-tools needed in a future power system.

The main goals of LFC are to maintain scheduled power output (megawatt) in the interconnected power system and control the change in tie line power between control areas while maintaining grid frequency at nominal rate. LFC combines advanced optimization algorithms in line with the latest European balancing regulations.

The LFC solution is based on GE Vernova Grid Software’s Digital Energy 2.0 (DE 2.0) technology which enables new modular applications based on open and interoperable components that can be integrated to any SCADA/EMS. DE 2.0 modular applications can evolve as required by regulation and be deployed without impacting the existent SCADA/EMS. LFC is part of GE Vernova’s Advanced Energy Management System (AEMS), which brings together EMS, Renewables, WAMS, and Analytics in an all-encompassing solution to enable operators to increase renewable integration, minimize risk, and increase flexibility.