Europe moves to mandate grid-forming capability for new storage over 1 MW

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1. The European Network of Transmission System Operators for Electricity (ENTSO-E) has published technical requirements that will mandate **grid-forming capability for new battery storage systems over 1 MW** across Europe.

   **Key points:**

   – **What it means**: New storage installations must actively stabilize the grid like traditional generators, not just follow existing grid conditions. They need to control voltage, provide inertia response, and regulate frequency through grid disturbances.

   – **Technical requirements**: Systems must respond in under 10 milliseconds, maintain voltage during frequency/phase shifts, deliver reactive current almost instantaneously, and handle voltage sags without losing stability.

   – **Timeline**: This is part of the upcoming Network Code on Requirements for Generators (NC RfG 2.0). Once the European Commission adopts it, individual EU countries will implement it through their own regulations, likely with transitional periods.

   – **Scope**: Applies only to new connections and substantial modifications of existing installations – not retroactively to current systems.

   – **Industry impact**: Storage systems must essentially function as “virtual generators.” The requirements are technology-agnostic but may favor high C-rate lithium batteries and modular power converters capable of rapid bidirectional power changes.

   The framework draws on successful implementations in Great Britain and Australia, and represents Europe’s response to increasing renewable penetration requiring more grid stability services.

2. Really exciting stuff!! I’m telling people more and more that, for resilience, batteries are more important than renewable. Glad to see this development

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