Grid forming loads: Application to grid forming heat pumps, EV chargers, drives. MKT2025/0196_E
The new concept of this technology is to propose loads featuring grid-forming performance. The loads would be a load absorbing power from the grid but behaving as grid-forming load by providing voltage source behavior and inertia to the power system. The vision is that multiple (millions eventually) grid forming loads can be used system wide to contribute to ensure the stability and performance of the overall power system. Ref. MKT2025/0196_E
Grid forming loads: Application to grid forming heat pumps, EV chargers, drives. MKT2025/0196_E
The new concept of this technology is to propose loads featuring grid-forming performance. The loads would be a load absorbing power from the grid but behaving as grid-forming load by providing voltage source behavior and inertia to the power system. The vision is that multiple (millions eventually) grid forming loads can be used system wide to contribute to ensure the stability and performance of the overall power system. Ref: MKT2025/0196_E
El repte/The challenge
Modern power systems are experiencing deep transformations motivated by the massive deployment of renewable energy generation, the irruption of electrical mobility and the digitalization of the energy systems. In traditional power systems, power balancing is provided by conventional power plants (thermal and hydro) that are capable of adjusting the power injection due to the availability of a primary resource, which is stored (in fuel or gas tanks or water reservoirs). Such power plants are interfaced to the power system by means of synchronous generators which provide voltage and frequency regulation, voltage source behaviour and inertia to the system. The whole concept has proven to work very well for a long time due to the flexibility of the generation and has allowed the development of power systems worldwide.
La tecnologia/The technology
The present is based on the concept of Grid Forming Load. The concept was presented in the paper Grid-Forming Loads: Can the Loads Be in Charge of Forming the Grid in Modern Power Systems? [1].
[1] O. Gomis, S. D. Tavakoli, V. A. Lacerda and E. Prieto, "Grid-Forming Loads: Can the Loads Be in Charge of Forming the Grid in Modern Power Systems?," in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid 14 (2023)
The grid forming load concept was presented by us in the paper above and, therefore, it cannot be patented. What we intend to protect is the implementation of the technology:
- Implementation of the grid forming load concept with novel control algorithms that consider the limits of the load
- Desagregation of grid services commonly provided by generation plants and implementation of them in the loads.
- Application of the above concepts to relevant applications including:
- Heat pumps
- Electric vehicles
- Industrial motor drives
- Railway frequency converters (50 3 phase to 16.7 Hz 1 phase)
Avantatges innovadores/Innovative advantages
Provision of grid services from the load side, providing extreme flexibility from the loads and therefore allowing renewable energy to operate at full power without reserve.
Especially relevant in future power systems dominated by renewables, GF loads can allow to reduce a lot the need for energy storage units.
The proposed solution is fully descentralised, which means the assets could self-regulate themselves to provide the required functionalitites on an independent basis.
The concept could free generation of being responsible of grid regulation services, providing more room to operate at MPPT and therefore being more eficient in generation renewable energy.
Fase actual de desenvolupament/Current stage of development
Initial simulations available.
UPC is coordinator of a HE EU project “GRIDFORLOADS” which has just started
Aplicacions i mercat objectiu/Applications and target market
Massive market available, millions of heat pumps, drives, etc…
Key companies:
- Load manufacturers/integrators
- Tech developers to integrate the concept at large scale
- Grid operators (TSO/DSO) / Market operators

Example of a grid with extremely high penetration of renewables, wherein grid-forming responsibility relies on loads (grid-forming loads).
Oportunitats de negoci/Business opportunity
Tecnologia disponible per a ser llicenciada amb cooperació tècnica/Technology available to be licensed with technical cooperation
Estat de la propietat intel·lectual i industrial/Intelectual property status
Pendent de protecció/Pending of protection
Contacte/Contact
Servei de Gestió de la Innovació
T. +34 934 13 76 23
gestio.innovacio@upc.edu