Network

Network November 2019

Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1181340

Contents of this Issue

Navigation

Page 33 of 35

NETWORK / 34 / NOVEMBER 2019 ELECTRIC VEHICLES The road to a low carbon future Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks' (SSEN) EV readiness manager, Richard Hartshorn, discusses the distribution network operator's role in the transition to a low carbon world for drivers, tourists and consumers. T he energy industry continues to go through a period of rapid transformation, from the huge growth in renewable electricity generation to the move to local, exible grids to unlock the value of new technologies such as electric vehicles, micro generation and battery storage. To help meet the UK's ambitious climate change targets, industries and com- munities must rapidly transform to develop alternative, greener sources of heat, power and transport. As the distribution network operator for the north of Scotland and central southern England, it's our job to ensure the transi- tion to a low carbon world is as smooth as it possibly can be. One of the most prominent challenges we're embracing is the shi to decarbonise transport, and for us at Scot- tish and Southern Energy Networks (SSEN), understanding and managing the impact of electric vehicles (EVs) and other low carbon technologies is now a vital aspect of how we operate and invest in our electricity networks. We need to understand the impact this extra demand may have on our infrastruc- ture, … nding exible solutions to ensure the move to the new, and exciting, low carbon world is seamless. This means … nding innovative ways to accommodate the extra demand EVs will place on the system, and avoid the need for costly new infrastructure which impacts on customer bills. Our My Electric Avenue pro- ject, delivered between January 2013 and December 2015 by EA Technology on behalf of SSEN as part of the Low Carbon Networks Fund innovation projects, was recognised for its exceptional performance by the energy regulator, Ofgem, who deemed it of "huge bene… t to GB electricity customers". The O˜ ce for Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV) noted that the project "helped give the government con… dence to push ahead with the the ability to integrate battery storage in the future. In Oxford, the "Go Ultra Low Ox- ford" project is trialling innovative on-street chargers to help advance the electri… cation of transport for residents. The Scottish government has introduced an ambitious target to eradicate the sale of petrol and diesel vehicles by 2032, eight years earlier than the UK wide target. One of their key projects is the creation of the … rst EV superhighway, the Electric A9, which runs through much of our distribution patch, from the Scottish central belt and north to Inverness. We're supporting Trans- port Scotland with this exemplar project and look forward to its development and similar schemes across the country. Similarly, Scotland's North East 250 route aims to have enough EV charge points to enable visitors to enjoy visitor attractions along the road trip route, including distiller- ies, castles and museums while their vehicle charges, bene… tting businesses and EV us- ers alike. We'll be implementing a feasibility study later this year to help understand the requirements of each registered location to make this electric aim a reality. The world we live in is changing, and our needs, expectations and behaviours as con- sumers are evolving. It's up to us as network operators to ensure we're ready to play our part in the vital transition to a clean, green, low carbon world. wide scale electri… cation of transport". The project arti… cially created streets of the future, with "clusters" of EV users, to help us understand the impact this extra demand would have on our networks, enabling us to trial smart technology which allowed us to monitor and manage demand. Alongside this, our Smart EV project is looking at creating a standard for how a charger can be adjusted when it's on to avoid network overloads and address any sharp increases in electricity demand. By working closely with industry partners and the EV supply chain to develop managed charging solu- tions, we can help develop the exible and low carbon electricity network that work for GB electric- ity customers. Putting EV on trial At a local level, we are working with local authorities in the rollout of EV charging infrastructure, which supports eœ orts to tackle air pollution in our towns and cities. SSEN and Dundee City Council have created several charging hubs featuring solar canopies and DECARBONISATION OF TRANSPORT innovative ways to accommodate the extra demand EVs will place on the system, and avoid the need for costly new infrastructure which impacts on customer bills. Our My Electric Avenue pro- ject, delivered between January 2013 and December 2015 by EA Technology on behalf of SSEN as part of the Low Carbon Networks Fund innovation projects, was recognised for its exceptional performance by the energy regulator, Ofgem, who deemed it of "huge bene… t to GB electricity customers". The O˜ ce for project "helped give the government con… dence By working closely with industry partners and the EV supply chain to develop managed charging solu- tions, we can help develop the exible and low carbon electricity network that work for GB electric- ity customers. Putting EV on trial At a local level, we are working with local authorities in the rollout of EV charging infrastructure, which supports eœ orts to tackle air pollution in our towns and cities. SSEN and Dundee City Council have created several charging hubs

Articles in this issue

Archives of this issue

view archives of Network - Network November 2019