Rassau Grid Services

Rassau is a synchronous condenser project located in Wales which is designed to provide grid stability by increasing network inertia. The project reached operations in February of 2022.

The Rassau project supports the UK’s transition to net zero by providing stability to the grid. The growth in renewables combined with retirement of coal and gas generation is creating a renaissance opportunity for synchronous condensers, one of the first electrical technologies, which is over a century old. Coal, gas, and historically oil-fired power stations have inherent stabilising qualities which wind turbines and solar PV lack, creating an urgent need for new infrastructure that can perform these critical grid services. Synchronous condensers such as the Rassau project provide grid stability by increasing network inertia, being the resistance of the power system to changes in frequency.

The project secured a long-term fixed-revenue contract as part of the National Grid Stability Pathfinder Programme. The synchronous condenser equipment is supplied by Siemens.