The UK is exploring whether offshore wind could support electricity grid restoration following a national power outage. A three-year initiative will bring together transmission operators SP Energy Networks and SSEN Transmission with offshore wind developers and operators, including SSE Renewables and Ørsted, alongside the National HVDC Centre.
The work will examine different restoration methods using offshore wind generation. At present, offshore wind farms are not able to restart the grid independently. Grid restoration typically relies on hydro generation, which can restart without external power and then support the phased return of other generation types, including gas-fired plant and wind farms.
To broaden the options available to the National Energy System Operator, the programme will assess how offshore wind could contribute to future restoration strategies. Testing will take place in a specialist laboratory environment designed to model real-world grid conditions.
The “Blade” project builds on earlier work under the Distributed ReStart project led by SP Energy Networks and the National Energy System Operator. That work demonstrated the potential to restore parts of the electricity network using smaller, distribution-connected generators. The current project extends this approach to transmission-level assets and offshore wind.
The “Blade” project also draws on experience from The Carbon Trust’s Offshore Wind Accelerator programme and receives funding support through the Strategic Innovation Fund, an Ofgem programme delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
An industry consortium is delivering The “Blade” project over the next three years. Partners include SP Energy Networks, SSEN Transmission, TNEI, the National HVDC Centre, the University of Strathclyde, 11 offshore wind developers and operators, three international transmission system operators and seven equipment manufacturers.
