Traditionally, black start and system restoration services have relied on large, transmission-connected synchronous generators, such as hydropower plants and fossil-fuel thermal stations. However, with the increasing decommissioning of conventional assets and the rapid growth of offshore wind capacity, alternative restoration strategies are required. This study investigates the feasibility of using offshore wind farms (OWFs), supported by battery energy storage systems (BESS), to deliver black start and system restoration services within the Scottish Power Energy Networks transmission network, with a specific focus on the restoration pathway toward Edinburgh and Glasgow.

A combination of resource configurations is assessed in line with the structure of the restoration services market in the United Kingdom. In the primary configuration, the BESS acts as the Primary Restoration Service Provider, responsible for establishing the voltage and frequency references following a blackout, in accordance with restoration service requirements. The OWF is evaluated in two roles: first, as a top-up restoration service provider that contributes active and reactive power support under a formal restoration contract; and second, as a conventional grid-following asset without a restoration contract, supporting the restoration process passively once the network has been stabilised.

System performance is evaluated through detailed dynamic simulations, with particular emphasis on compliance with the Security and Quality of Supply Standard (SQSS) and relevant Grid Code requirements. Key metrics such as voltage regulation, frequency stability, short-circuit current contribution, and load pickup capability are analysed to validate the technical viability of the proposed configurations. The study demonstrates that offshore wind, when properly coordinated with fast-responding storage systems, can play a critical role in future restoration strategies, offering a resilient and sustainable pathway for black start services in high-renewable energy systems.