Black Start is the procedure to recover from a total or partial shutdown of the GB Transmission System which has caused an extensive loss of supplies. This entails isolated power stations being started individually and gradually being reconnected to each other in order to form an interconnected system again.

In general, all power stations need an electrical supply to start up: under normal operation this supply would come from the transmission or distribution system; under emergency conditions Black Start stations receive this electrical supply from small auxiliary generating plant located on-site. Not all power stations have, or are required to have, this Black Start capability. Black Start capability is usually a consideration when the plant is being built.

Generally, National Grid expresses interest in procuring the Black Start service from new power stations during the Connection Agreement process. However National Grid may also express interest in determining the feasibility of retro-fitting Black Start capability to existing power stations.

Regular inspection and testing of all the associated station plant on both the main and auxiliary generating units is required. Testing is carried out in accordance with the Grid Code and the specific Commercial Services Agreement.

For more detailed information on Black Start please view the information in our Balancing Services Contracts Information Pack. Alternatively please contact your Account Manager or Craig Maloney of our Contracts team +44 (0)1926 655896, craig.maloney@uk.ngrid.com

Black Start Procurement & Contract Review

Since August 2007 National Grid has been engaging with the industry to develop the procurement and contracting strategy around Black Start as a Balancing Service. Following feedback from all three Black Start Commercial Review Workshops, National Grid has reviewed the initial draft generic terms and has encompassed both internal and external comments.

The following documents contain Draft 3 of the service terms for Black Start stations presented as clause and schedule for insertion into a Commercial Services Agreement. The terms have been drafted to reflect the output of the workshops and reflect ongoing internal and external comments and will be implemented for use from 1st April 2009.  Listed in the archived material is the material used and produced from the industry workshops for information and Draft 1 of the generic terms. (Draft 2 was a work in progress draft only, Draft 3 is the follow-on draft from Draft 1).

To compliment the terms a high level service document outlines the key conditions of the terms, providing a summary of the Black Start Service.
 
Please contact your Account Manager or Craig Maloney of our Contracts & Settlements team (+44 (0)1926 655896, craig.maloney@uk.ngrid.com) to provide comments and feedback on the review and to discuss the potential for you to provide this service.