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NETWORK / 11 / MAY 2019 conclusions of the additional customer and system benefit from more dynamic and real- time solutions. The further maturing, roll- out and accompanying commer - cial mechanisms and additional innovation in solutions for FDG connections are important topics. These need ongoing at - tention by distribution network operators (DNOs) and regula- tors in terms of cost and benefit allocation, as well as alignment with network charging, the DSO transition and the overarching trend towards decentralised business models. Curtailment is key Curtailment (in one form or another) is also the foundation of a fully flexible power system. Curtailment is already a core mechanism of transmission congestion management and support of efficient wholesale markets. It is not economically efficient to size any part of a system for the single most ex - treme load or generation event – those conditions are effectively addressed through corrective control actions. Greater capacity of variable output, low car - bon generation and increased electrical demand from electric heating and vehicle charging will require adaptation to these approaches. It is important to note that technical control fully complements market and price- based approaches to flexibility. Extension of the same technologies that underpin FDG schemes (e.g. network monitor - ing, smart controls, ANM) also provide the means of making curtailment more acceptable and profitable. This includes curtailment compensation and trading, balancing constraint events with demand response and energy storage, and ag- gregated control and cross vector innovations (e.g. heat, electricity, transport, hydrogen and aggregated domestic and community flexibility). ANM and distributed energy resources management systems (DERMS) are frequently cited as a necessary and early invest- ment in the DSO transition. Well-formed DERMS imple- mentations manage the extra renewable generation while minimising adverse curtailment outcomes for generators and other network users. Aligning all of the above with the emerg - ing role of flexibility services as an alternative to wires invest- ments in distribution networks also provides scope for further efficiencies. Creating better understand - ing of flexibility and curtailment among DG/DER developers, DNOs and other system partici- pants and stakeholders is an in- creasingly important and urgent matter in the context of system evolution and the energy transi- tion. Approaches to distribution and DG/DER customer flexibility are being rolled-out while the next regulatory settlement and the DSO transition are at impor - tant but still formative stages. Our recommendations to ad- dress this are: - Much greater customer visibil- ity of flexibility and curtailment, with more solutions and choice throughout the connection and operational lifetime. - Better commercial arrange- ments and options to reconcile, remunerate, trade and innovate around flexibility and curtail- ment. - Enhanced and clearer incentives for DNOs to weigh flexibility solutions and CAPEX/ wires solutions on equal terms to deliver a more flexible, more customer focused and more ef - ficient system. Security of critical infrastructure has hit the headlines recently, with increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks targeting the drive to digitalise our systems. Jeopardising the functionality of these assets can materially impact economic security, public health and safety. Cara MacGregor, head of strategy at Lagoni Engineering, discusses the work it's doing in this area. Securing critical assets is a major theme for Lagoni in 2019, with two key projects, funded by Ofgem, in collaboration with National Grid Gas Transmission. Significant progress has been made in advancing new technology to upgrade and protect legacy assets, avoiding expensive rip and replace strategies. The first project, Open Source SCADA, provides a solution to upgrade and standardise legacy systems, independently from the control system, with integral cyber security. The project is proving successful: - Delivery time reduced by 70 per cent with zero supply disruption - £1.3 million forecast cost reduction per site - Security score increased 6-8 times - Client owns IP rights, reducing vendor reliance. The vast reduction in physical footprint of the solution led to a further project; designing a vendor agnostic remote telemetry unit and combined intruder detection system. This can be retrofitted into AGI's, providing early notification of cyber-attacks on smaller sites. NGGT alone has over 200 AGI's that can benefit from this technology, with forecast cost reductions of £20m. Founded in 2008 and headquartered in London, Lagoni are a technical services provider in the energy and utility industry. Lagoni's service offering covers the entire life- cycle of assets. Through our engineering services, we have a strong track record which has been used to underpin our OT cyber security and IIoT offering. For further information email cara.macgregor@lagoni.co.uk or business_support@lagoni.co.uk I N D U S T RY I N S I G H T Keeping assets safe FUTURE OF FLEXIBILITY "Creating better understanding of flexibility and curtailment among DG/DER developers, DNOs and other system participants and stakeholders is an increasingly important and urgent matter in the context of system evolution and the energy transition."