Learning outcome 5

What are the most effective means to deliver optimal solutions between customer, supplier and distribution network operator?

In this learning outcome, we will review the outputs and conclusions from all the other Learning Outcomes to prepare the tools needed to progress from the pilot study towards business as usual. This includes novel commercial arrangements and the development of policy, guidance and tools for GB distribution networks. These tools will identify the most efficient solution from the range of non-network and network options available for particular circumstances.

The most effective solution from the trials will be developed into a toolkit of solutions and codes of practice that specifically understand what the best solution is likely to be for a given network with a given set of customers.

The key output of the toolkit will be to guide network planners in selecting non-network, novel network and conventional network solutions. This is necessary not just to allow these new policies to be deployed, but also to facilitate the connection of new low- and zero-carbon technologies.

Another key output will be to establish and publish proposed recommendations for a new set of load profile data to update ACE49, to improve the planning of LV networks, reducing connection and reinforcement costs. In addition, we will establish and publish proposed recommendations for a new set of generation profiles to update ETR 130 and ER G59.

The knowledge gained from the project will transition into business as usual, which includes novel commercial arrangements and the development of policy, guidance and tools for other distributors. These tools will identify the most efficient solution from the range of non-network and network options available for particular circumstances.

We will provide an understanding and disseminate to other distributors how advanced voltage control, thermal ratings and storage may be integrated to enable more low-carbon technologies to be accepted onto the network.

We will develop and share an understanding of the commercial arrangements of a smart grid and how these arrangements link customers, suppliers and distributors. We will assess the value of customer flexibility and how this could be shared between participating customers, suppliers, and distributors. We will develop and share an understanding of the economic structures which would better allow sharing of costs and ensure an appropriate share of network costs and benefits between distributors and customers/suppliers.

We will provide a view of the costs associated with these arrangements, and share our views on how commercial models and arrangements might evolve to better facilitate the transition to a low carbon economy.

We will draw out the lessons from the project to develop:-

• New design tools
• Operational procedures
• New asset specifications
• Training packages which would be needed by any distribution network operator to take the learning generated and roll it out to become business as usual