Fast frequency response from a UPS system of a data center, background, and pilot results

Power systems are going through fundamental changes including an increase in renewable energy production, phasing-out of traditional generation, and increased energy efficiency of consumption. These changes will influence the system inertia and will hinder the ability of the system to maintain frequency stability during large and sudden imbalances. Fast frequency reserves (FFR) have been suggested as one of the possible solutions to improve frequency stability. During 2018, Statnett organized a pilot for the FFR, testing a small-scale market arrangement during normal system operation. A data center operator was selected as one of the participants. Three uninterruptible power supply (UPS) systems of a data center operator were updated to enable FFR services. The results of the pilot indicate that data center UPS are capable to provide FFR response according to the requirements defined in the pilot.