Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/665572
T he UK government has ambitious plans to achieve 30% fewer carbon emissions by 2020 than in 1990. To help ensure this happens, regulator Ofgem is challenging distribution network operators (DNOs) to be smarter, more innovative, more € exible and more responsive to customers' changing needs. All the while ensuring that their operations represent good value for money. Ofgem has established innovation funding streams to kick-start the radical change electricity networks must achieve to make the low-carbon energy sector a reality. The Low Carbon Network Fund (LCNF), for example, was established in 2010 and allocated up to £500 million over ‹ ve years to encourage DNOs to engage withŒpartners and develop smartŒgrid expertise. Siemens played an important role in the UK's largest smart grid project, the Customer- Led Network Revolution (CLNR). Principally funded by £27Œmillion from the LCNF, the project was led by Northern Powergrid, with support from British Gas, EA Technology and the Universities of Newcastle and Durham. Northern Powergrid delivers electricity to 3.9 million homes and businesses in the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire. Working with more than 13,000 domestic, SME, industrial, commercial and distributed generation customers, the CLNR project has taught us important lessons on the uptake of low-carbon technologies such as solar PV, electric vehicles and heat pumps – and their likely impact on electricity networks. The project trialled a range of novel network technologies, alongside € exible demand-side response, where consumers were asked to do something diž erently to reduce their consumption or turn on generation in response to a signal from the network operator for example, to better understand the long-term customer bene‹ ts ož ered by a smarter grid. Autonomous control The CLNR project required a smart grid solution with an autonomous control system capable of optimising voltage control, energy storage, thermal rating and demand-side response across the network; and co-ordinating the operation of these technologies within theŒnetwork. Siemens adapted its active network management system, Spectrum Power, to suit the CLNR's needs. It was known as the Grand Uni‹ ed Scheme (Gus). Spectrum Power technology takes a whole- system view of the network, combining, optimising and managing the constraints of the system's multiple elements. This allows the network to operate as a smart grid, reducing the necessity for costly network extensions andŒupgrades. The Gus is one of the most sophisticated active-network management systems to have been installed and operated on a live network. Northern Powergrid has trialled the technology to establish how ež ectively it can autonomously manage the network across its two main trial areas in Denwick, Northumberland and Rise Carr, Darlington, which serve about 13,000 and 10,000 customers respectively. Continual evaluation The Gus technology continually evaluates and reassesses network conditions, making it suitable for dealing with the more complex, dynamic electricity networks of the future. It could enable network operators to work with € exible customers to make the most of demand-side response measures, and help support the uptake of renewable energy sources, one of the biggest challenges faced by UK electricity networks in the next ‹ ve to ten years. Gus could also ultimately contribute to reducing customers' energy bills by helping to make the most of existing network assets and minimising the need for network upgrades. The CLNR successfully completed its study in December 2014, producing a rich body of research, recommendations and tools that will bene‹ t electricity distribution network operators and their customers alike. It has produced new knowledge that ož ers importantŒinsights for policymakers and the wider electricity industry, as we seek to address the challenges of a low-carbon future and ensure the development of smart grids continues to make ež ectiveŒprogress. Colin Henry, head of digital grid systems, energy management division, Siemens UK NETWORK / 30 / APRIL 2016 Network innovation schemes are starting to give a tangible feeling of what smart grid operation will be like, says Siemens' Colin Henry. The revolution has started "The Grand Unifi ed Scheme is one of the most sophisticated active-network management systems to have been installed and operated on a live network" division, Siemens UK the most sophisticated active-network installed and operated on a live network" INDUSTRY INSIGHT ACTIVE NET WORK MANAGEMENT SIEMENS As well as being a key partner to the Customer- Led Network Revolution project, Siemens has also supported a broad range of other LCNF schemes including UK Power Networks' Low Carbon London project, Western Power Distribution's Project Bristol and Electricity North West's Project Class and Project Smart Street. DID YOU KNOW