EirGrid and SONI have been recognised for delivering innovative technology solutions to integrate more renewable energy onto the grid, supporting a cleaner energy future.

The two Transmission System Operators scooped the award for Best Technological Innovation & System Integration at the Renewables Grid Initiative Awards, which celebrates remarkable practices in grid development across Europe.

In Ireland, 75 per cent of the country's electricity generation can now come from variable renewables such as wind and solar at any one time as a result of successful changes.

EirGrid and SONI are responsible for maintaining the balance between supply and demand on the power system. Imbalances can occur from time to time for a number of reasons, and an important metric when there is an imbalance is the Rate of Change of Frequency. This technical term describes the rate at which the frequency changes during a system imbalance event.

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Supported by a range of stakeholders including ESB Networks, NIE Networks, generators and the regulatory authorities, EirGrid and SONI were able to double the maximum allowable Rate of Change of Frequency from 0.5 to 1 Hertz per second. This made it possible to increase renewable energy penetration onto the grid, which has meant that 75 per cent of Ireland's electricity generation can now come from variable renewables, such as wind and solar, at any one time.

EirGrid has also continued to make progress on its Shaping Our Electricity Future Roadmap, which sets out the changes required to integrate greater amounts of renewable energy onto the grid, so that up to 80 per cent of electricity can come from renewables by 2030. In order to achieve this target more renewable generators need to be connected to the power system, which requires the grid to be stronger and more flexible. This is being achieved through reinforcements, upgrades, new infrastructure across the country and innovative solutions like increasing the maximum allowable Rate of Change of Frequency.

EirGrid Chief Innovation and Planning Officer, Liam Ryan, said: "EirGrid and SONI are enhancing their ability to operate the Ireland and Northern Ireland power system with very high levels of variable non-synchronous renewables, particularly wind generation, which has been by far the biggest source of renewable energy on the island to date.

"The all-island power system can operate with up to 75% of electricity generation coming from wind and solar at any one time and we’re working to be able to increase this operational capability to 95% by 2030. The Rate of Change of Frequency project is a great example of how collaboration across the electricity ecosystem can contribute to deep decarbonisation of the power system."