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Primary Control Reserve (FCR) with Battery Storage

Primary control reserve (FCR) is the fastest form of grid stabilisation in the electricity system. It responds automatically to deviations in the grid frequency and ensures that this is kept as stable as possible at 50 Hz.

How primary control reserve works

As soon as the grid frequency deviates from its setpoint, primary control reserve is activated within a few seconds. Energy is either fed into the grid or drawn from the grid in order to restore the balance between generation and consumption.

The role of battery storage

A large battery storage system is particularly well suited to this task, as it can respond extremely quickly. As a grid-scale storage system, it can provide or absorb energy within seconds.

This response speed makes battery storage one of the most important technologies for providing primary control reserve.

Significance for the energy system

As the share of renewable energies increases, the requirements for flexible and fast balancing mechanisms in the electricity grid also rise. Primary control reserve ensures that short-term fluctuations are balanced out immediately.

In this way, it makes a decisive contribution to the stability and security of the energy supply.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is primary control reserve?

Primary control reserve is the fastest form of grid stabilisation and responds automatically to deviations in the grid frequency.

How quickly does primary control reserve respond?

Primary control reserve is activated within a few seconds in order to balance out frequency deviations in the electricity grid.

Why is battery storage suitable for primary control reserve?

Battery storage systems can absorb or release energy very quickly and are therefore ideally suited to the immediate stabilisation of the grid frequency.

What role does the grid frequency of 50 Hz play?

The grid frequency of 50 Hz is a central stability indicator. Deviations must be balanced out quickly in order to keep the electricity system stable.

How does primary control reserve differ from secondary control reserve?

Primary control reserve responds immediately to frequency deviations, whereas secondary control reserve is deployed subsequently for further stabilisation.