NEM Mainland frequency patterns – historical overview from 2024
In this overview, we take a longitudinal look back at how frequency has changed over the years.
Normal Operating Frequency Band (NOFB)
Drop in System Frequency on Saturday 5th October 2024 – Part 2
To further understand the frequency drop we delve into the 4-second data (used for regulation FCAS contribution calculations) in this Part 2, looking at generating units (including BDUs).
Grid frequency on 13th February 2024
Grid frequency had dropped to 49.689 Hz. We take an initial look into the timeseries of grid frequency recorded on the day.
Investigating last Friday’s frequent frequency swings
Allan O’Neil provides an explainer about how small deviations in supply and demand are managed in the NEM, in order to help us understand the apparent swings in frequency that we noted in QLD last Friday.
What’s “Primary Frequency Response” and why does it matter anyway?
Paul McArdle recently drew my attention to a short Twitter thread started by David Osmond on the arcane topic of NEM system frequency behaviour: At Paul’s invitation I’ve dived further into this issue to fill in some background, provide…
Fast Frequency Service – Treating the symptom not the cause?
The National Electricity Market (NEM) is designed to operate at 50 Hz. Frequency deviation occurs when generation and load are mismatched. It is important in a lightly meshed and long network such as the NEM to maintain tight frequency control and that frequency response is available throughout the network.
Let’s talk about FCAS
Ancillary Services Matter! No longer just realm of electrical engineer or energy trading boffins, ancillary services (and particularly Frequency Control Ancillary Services or FCAS which will concentrate on today) have become front and centre in so many ways that barely a day goes by without market observers referring to grid stability, inertia or frequency management.