Enhanced Network Monitoring Report
Overview
Monitoring provides a network operator with visibility that the network is performing within its capability and is able to operate within legal and regulatory limits (e.g. Statutory Supply Voltage limits). Network visibility that is required for network control is different (more onerous) in terms of accuracy, periodicity and data latency from the network visibility that is required for network design, which is different again from that required for network planning.
In the Customer-Led Network Revolution (CLNR) project monitoring was deployed to understand the impact of Low Carbon Technologies (LCT) on network feeders at LV and HV. Monitoring was also deployed to understand the behaviour and impact of the smart solutions – Enhanced Automatic Voltage Control (EAVC), Real Time Thermal Ratings (RTTR), Electrical Energy Storage (EES) and Demand Side Response (DSR) – which were investigated in the CLNR project. The monitoring data was used for analysis of the network trials and the learning from the project has implications for control, design and planning of networks.
Using the learning from the project, a recommended cost-effective Business As Usual (BAU) monitoring strategy has been produced, which would provide data for the purposes of planning, design and control in a cost effective manner. Data of lower resolution and higher latency, suitable for planning purposes, when suitably augmented by higher resolution, lower latency data, can be re-used for network design and control, reducing the overall cost of providing a full data set for network purposes. Draft requirements for monitoring are recommended in this document. Technical recommendations for the purchase of trialled CLNR equipment for these purposes have also been produced.
