Optimal solutions for smarter network businesses
Overview
This report considers the results from the Customer-Led Network Revolution customer-facing and network-facing trials, to propose an optimal blend of network and non-network solutions that will allow distribution network operators to more efficiently meet the evolving demands of their customers. It forms part of a suite of comprehensive suite of high-level project learning outputs which are listed under related documents.
The Customer-Led Network Revolution was set up to demonstrate a large-scale smart grid deployment. It combined technical and social science aspects by considering both the role of customers as individuals in the power system, and also the network-side technologies we will use in the near future. These halves came together in finding out from customers what additional demands they’d place on the system from the way they used energy; and in funding out how customers could reduce demands on the system by changing their behaviour in response to tariffs and direct control signals.
Specifically, on the technical side, for the CLNR project we deployed and evaluated: enhanced ratings for existing assets; enhanced techniques for existing active voltage control devices; new active voltage control devices in places we didn’t have them before; electrical energy storage systems transferring both real and reactive power; and a hierarchal deployment of an active network management system providing both local control and an area control coordinating and optimising settings.
DNOs will be able to reduce the amount of conventional reinforcement that would otherwise be required by turning to smarter lower cost solutions instead, but these solutions need be only as smart as they need to be to address each problem. We have proved that local solutions fit local problems, and that simple solutions fit simple problems. If DNOs deploy the techniques outlined in this report, they can travel the smart/smarter/smartest path from simple, local solutions to complex wide-area solutions, without the risk of stranded assets.
This report is a draft for consultation and may be updated to reflect the outcomes of our consultation and peer review. The consultation period closes on 20th February 2015. For information on how to provide written feedback, please contact Liz Sidebotham on 0191 229 4242 or liz.sidebotham@northernpowergrid.com. The final version of this report will be issued by the end of March 2015.
