Offshore wind trial to restart power grid

A trial is underway to test using offshore wind to restart the UK’s electricity grid in the event of a national power outage.

Currently hydro generators are the traditional first port of call if there was a national power cut as they can restart without support from the grid.

To diversify and provide more options to the National Energy System Operator more ways are being explored.

The three-year project will see Scotland’s transmission companies work together with wind farm businesses and the National HVDC Centre to model different restoration methods using offshore wind.

Eddie Mulholland, Director of Processes and Technology, SP Energy Networks said: “The UK has one of the biggest offshore wind markets in the world and being able to harness that power to restart the grid offers the system operator more options in the event of any emergency.

“This project will help advance Britain’s electricity network even further and reinforce security of supply.”