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NETWORK / 11 / JULY/AUGUST 2019 The transition towards a digital architecture in distribution substations delivers a lower lifecycle cost, but can be challenging to implement. How do we tackle this challenge head-on whilst ensuring that substations remain secure and reliable? Dr Ibrahim Abdulhadi, digital substations lead at the PNDC shares his thoughts. Evolving substation archi- tectures to become more digital unlocks engineering efficiencies by standardising substation designs, adopt- ing more coherent data sets, and minimising the need for bespoke implementations as well as enabling enhanced resilience through distributed automation. However, updating new functional requirements in an active substation can be both costly and difficult for the industry. Overcoming this is a major focus for PNDC, with our collaborative research programme currently underway covering various aspects of digital substation implementation. This programme is focused on achieving streamlined integration of new functions into existing and future substation infrastructure through standardised, reliable, and secure communications technology and the utilisation of digitised substation data. Beyond this, it is also key to consider how and where digitised substation data is processed to produce the best trade-off between cost and benefit by considering aspects of cyber security, decentralisation of control and edge computing. An example of this in action is our work with PNDC industrial partners in the development of virtualised substation platforms (e.g. vRTUs), which adopt a software-centric approach for realising future substation functions. To find out more contact pndc@strath.ac.uk I N D U S T RY I N S I G H T Evolving substations of the future UNIVERSITY of STRATHCLYDE POWER NETWORKS DEMONSTRATION CENTRE THE LEM The Olde House farm and holiday cottages in Wadebridge were the first official participant of the Local Energy Market and have had energy storage machines from redT energy installed to help the farm better manage the energy it uses from its own solar generation and the grid. The 1MWh energy storage machines have been connected to The Olde House's 250kW solar array, which was installed in 2011 to provide power to the site. The storage project is expected to signifi- cantly improve use of onsite solar PV and is expected to save up to 50 per cent on peak price energy imports. Centrica has installed two combined heat and power (CHP) units at the Carbis Bay Hotel and Estate in Saint Ives. The CHP units have helped the site to keep its carbon footprint and energy costs down, as well as generate electricity, helping to relieve the pressure on the local grid. Rated at 35kWe each, the units have been designed by Centrica Business Solutions to produce electricity and use the heat that is nor- mally wasted in conventional power generation. The units are expected to unlock a reduction in carbon emissions of around 70 tonnes a year. A combination of solar panels and battery storage units have been installed in 100 homes across the county. Two combined heat and power (CHP) units have been installed at the Carbis Bay Hotel and Estate in Saint Ives.