The Resilience and Evolution of Conventional Power Generation

Despite the global shift towards renewable energy, conventional power generation remains the backbone of modern electricity supply, ensuring stability, reliability, and scalability. As an engineering manager in the power generation industry, I’ve witnessed firsthand the critical role traditional power plants play in meeting growing energy demands.

The Strengths of Conventional Power Generation

Conventional power plants such as coal, natural gas, oil, and nuclear, have historically provided large-scale, dependable energy. Unlike renewables, which rely on variable weather conditions, these sources offer consistent base-load power, essential for industrial operations, grid stability, and emergency demand.

Key advantages include:

• Predictability: Conventional power plants operate 24/7, independent of external weather factors.
• Energy Density: Fossil fuels and nuclear energy provide significantly higher energy density compared to solar or wind.
• Infrastructure Maturity: The existing grid is designed around conventional generation, ensuring seamless distribution and integration.

Challenges and Innovation

While conventional power generation is reliable, it faces challenges such as environmental concerns, fluctuating fuel costs, and evolving regulations. However, innovation is bridging the gap, making traditional plants more efficient and environmentally responsible.

• Efficiency Improvements: Advanced turbine technology, carbon capture solutions, and combined-cycle systems optimize fuel usage.
• Emission Reductions: Low-NOx burners, flue gas treatment, and cleaner fuel alternatives help mitigate environmental impact.

I remember the days when most of the UK’s coal-fired power stations underwent significant changes to comply with the Large Combustion Plant Directive (LCPD), which came into effect in 2001 and was fully enforced by 2016. To reduce Sulphur dioxide emissions, many of these plants were retrofitted with Flue Gas Desulphurization (FGD) systems.

Some of the major stations that went through these upgrades or were affected by the directive include:

Drax Power Station – North Yorkshire (FGD on Units 1–3; later converted some units to biomass).

Ratcliffe-on-Soar – Nottinghamshire (FGD fitted; currently one of the last coal plants, due to close by 2025).

West Burton A – Nottinghamshire (FGD units installed; closed March 2023).

Cottam Power Station – Nottinghamshire (FGD retrofitted; closed September 2019).

Eggborough Power Station – North Yorkshire (FGD installed; closed March 2018).

Aberthaw B Power Station – South Wales (FGD installed; closed December 2019).

Fiddler’s Ferry – Cheshire (FGD installed; closed March 2020).

Ferrybridge C – West Yorkshire (FGD units installed; closed March 2016).

Longannet Power Station – Fife, Scotland (did not install FGD, opted out; closed March 2016).

• Digitalization: Predictive maintenance, AI-driven analytics, and IoT integration improve plant operations and efficiency.

The example of UK Grid’s Approach to Security of Supply Amid Renewable Growth

The UK has been proactive in ensuring grid stability while integrating a growing share of renewables. Some key measures include:

• Capacity Market Mechanism: The UK has implemented a Capacity Market to ensure sufficient electricity supply during peak demand periods. This mechanism secures backup power from conventional sources to complement intermittent renewable generation.
• Grid Modernization & Interconnections: Investments in interconnectors with neighbouring countries allow the UK to import and export electricity, balancing supply fluctuations caused by renewables. Now days HVDC interconnectors are in operation.
• Demand Side Response (DSR): The UK has encouraged demand-side flexibility, where industries and consumers adjust their electricity usage based on grid conditions, reducing strain during peak periods. I was witness when a well-known example of this occurred during the 2018 FIFA World Cup, when England played Colombia. Following the penalty shootout, there was a sudden surge in electricity demand, this was equivalent to nearly 1,200 megawatts, as millions of viewers simultaneously turned on kettles and appliances during the break. National Grid anticipated this event and successfully managed the spike through coordinated DSR measures, highlighting the importance of planning and flexibility in a modern grid.
• Energy Storage Expansion: Large-scale battery storage and pumped hydro facilities help store excess renewable energy and release it when needed, improving grid reliability.

Peaking Plants and Synchronous Condensers Enhancing Grid Stability

To accommodate the growing share of renewables while maintaining security of supply, the UK has deployed peaking plants and synchronous condensers:

• Peaking Plants: These plants provide rapid-response electricity generation during peak demand periods. Some notable peaking plants include: Kemsley Peaking Plant – A gas-fired facility designed to provide flexible generation. Peterhead Power Station – A key gas-fired station supporting peak demand. Carrington Power Station – A modern combined-cycle gas turbine (CCGT) plant aiding grid stability. Spalding Power OCGT – A brand new OCGT was installed to grind balancing demand in 2018.
• Synchronous Condensers: These rotating machines help restore lost inertia in the grid, mimicking the stabilizing effect of conventional generators. Some key installations include: Lister Drive Greener Grid Park (Liverpool) – Featuring ABB’s high-inertia synchronous condensers. Statkraft’s Greener Grid Parks – Supporting the UK’s transition to a zero-carbon electricity grid. National Grid’s Inertia Projects – Deploying synchronous condensers to maintain frequency stability.

Synchronous condensers have been used since the mid-20th century in many countries, notably the USA, Canada, Germany, and Australia. These are primarily for voltage regulation and reactive power support. In recent years, they have also been increasingly used for providing inertia and fault level support in modern power systems transitioning to renewable energy.

Future Outlook

The energy landscape is evolving rapidly. While renewable energy is gaining traction, conventional power generation will remain indispensable for ensuring global energy stability. Hybrid systems that integrate both conventional and renewable sources are likely to define the next generation of power infrastructure.

The UK and many other advanced economies have already witnessed these developments. In contrast, several regions are only now beginning to experience the impacts of the modern renewable energy transition, or will do so in the near future. Middle East is developing quite fast and focus on Renewable is commendable, I will suggest colleagues to keep an eye on grid and be ready for inertia losses.

In my view, this is a good problem to have: managing a complex and dynamic grid is far better than struggling to meet basic power demand.

As professionals in the power generation industry, we have a responsibility to drive innovation while maintaining operational reliability. By embracing new technologies, optimizing plant efficiency, and prioritizing sustainability, we can ensure that conventional power continues to serve as a cornerstone of the global energy supply.

References;

Statutory Security of Supply Report 2024 - GOV.UK

Statutory security of supply report 2023

How Will Growth in Renewables Change the UK’s Approach to Energy Security? | Royal United Services Institute

ABB’s synchronous condensers go live in Liverpool to stabilize the UK’s power grid | News center

Helping the UK Power Grid Spin Back its System Inertia

Synchronous condensers spin back grid inertia - Power Engineering International