Czech CEPS eyes December start date for power phase-shifters

The first phase-shifting electricity transformers on the Czech-German border should start operating by the middle of December, Czech grid operator CEPS said on Friday.

It is hoped the transformers could provide some extra cross-border capacity between the Czech Republic and Germany, by combating unplanned loop-flows.

Loop-flows occur when power generated by intermittent renewable generation flows through neighbouring power grids on its way southwards from north Germany to consumption centres in southern Germany and Austria.

There is a lack of transmission capacity at the Austrian-German border. Since electricity takes the path of least resistance, this means that the neighbouring Czech grid often provides cross-border capacity for transit of mainly wind power generated in the German North Sea and destined for Austria.

The Czech Republic has to take these loop-flows into consideration when allocating capacity at auctions.

“After trial operation is over, that is, roughly in the middle of December, the operation of the phase-shifting transformers will be included in the energy management system,” said Miroslav Vrba, Vice-Chairman of the CEPS board of directors.

The phase-shifting transformers are also to be introduced on the Polish-German border, but the exact launch date is not yet known (see EDEM 31 May 2016).

The operation of PSTs on the Czech-German and Polish-German borders will help stabilize transit flows, said CEPS.

The goal of the transformers is not to prevent electricity flowing through the Czech grid but to transfer the maximum amount of electricity safely and without compromising power supply in the Czech Republic. ellie.chambers@icis.com