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UTILITY WEEK | NOVEMBER 2020 | 33 Operational Excellence impact on networks but added: "In the event that market mechanisms fail or do not deliver to the extent anticipated, the distributors will still need to protect physical assets from overload caused, for example, by the take- up of low-carbon technologies by domestic customers. This change proposes a distribu- tor smart intervention as a last resort, emer- gency measure, to protect customers security of supply and the network assets." SSEN said the proposals would allow DNOs to use the WiFi networks created by smart meters within customers' homes to switch off power supplies to specific technologies. The company gave assurances that it would not do so without first obtaining a cus- tomer's consent: "Distributors would contact the relevant customers, explaining the situa- tion and outlining the solutions they propose to use in the short term and provide details of any longer-term solutions being consid- ered. The aim will be to obtain the custom- ers' consent and then inform the supplier of this agreement and that the distributors will be using the load management feature until a more desirable solution is achieved." Media backlash However, the proposals are facing a back- lash aer the story was picked up by sev- eral national newspapers, who warned that the smart meters in readers' homes could be used to cut off their heating. Among the critics quoted by the papers was Clemen- tine Cowton, director of external affairs at Octopus Energy. Speaking to Utility Week, Cowton says there is "absolutely no evidence" that DNOs T he energy system is evolving, both in how the system is used and in the expectations of those using it. Moreover, the pace of change is accelerating. Together, these trends are shedding light on the importance of grid reliability. Every outage, no matter how short, has an impact. In recent months, there have been a number of developments in Great Britain that have strengthened this view. There have also been positive steps toward addressing the prevalence of short interruptions. In several jurisdictions across the globe, the negative impact of short interruptions has been recognised for some time, leading to the introduction of such measures as financial incentives and perfor- mance standards. These reactions have resulted in reductions in short power interruptions of 19 per cent in Victoria (Australia), 27 per cent in Sweden, and 40 per cent in Italy. The situation in Great Britain is different. While the number of sustained interruptions has fallen by 32 per cent since 2010, the frequency of short interruptions has risen by 16 per cent over the same period. Further, in reality many short inter- ruptions are likely to be unrecorded meaning this this figure is under- stated. This trend is not compatible with the needs of a changing sector. In July, the National Grid ESO Future Energy Scenarios report pointed out the potential scale of the changes to come. It showed that, under some scenarios, demand could double while installed genera- tion capacity could triple by 2050. The key drivers include a range of more diverse distributed energy resources making use of power grids, increased levels of electrifica- tion, and a changing usage pattern. Together, these factors, including short interruptions, will be signifi- cantly impacted by grid reliability. Around the time the National Grid ESO report was published, two developments highlighted progress in tackling short interruptions. First, in Ofgem's consultation on the methodology for setting revenues for the electricity distribu- tion sector from 2023 (RIIO-ED2), the British gas and electricity regulator recognised the increasing impact of short power interruptions, and it proposed measures to address this. While not having sufficiently robust performance data on which to set a financial incentive in RIIO-ED2, Ofgem has set an ambition to do so in RIIO-ED3. In the meantime, it has proposed increased monitoring of network company performance on short interruptions and intro- ducing a minimum standard of performance. Second, a number of distribu- tion network operators have begun trials involving new technologies, including advanced single-phase reclosers, which are specifically designed to reduce short interrup- tions. This technology has enhanced network reliability in other locations around the world by reducing short interruptions, and its introduction in Great Britain shows improving grid performance is a priority. These are positive developments. The Future Energy Scenarios report has clearly demonstrated the scale of change facing the electricity sector in Great Britain. It has highlighted the increasing importance of network reliability. The proposals Ofgem put forward and the network companies' actions have demon- strated a commitment to address short-term outages. Ultimately, such measures will be critical to ensuring consumers realise the full benefits of the evolving energy system. EXPERT VIEW CHRIS WATTS,DIRECTOR – REGULATORY AFFAIRS, S&C ELECTRIC COMPANY The importance of reducing short interruptions continues overleaf "DNOs are not supposed to be able to reach into customers' homes and switch off their energy supply." CLEMENTINE COWTON, DIRECTOR OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS AT OCTOPUS ENERGY