OPINION


SMART POWER CAN REVITALISE OUR LEGACY, AGEING INFRASTRUCTURE, SAYS SCHNEIDER ELECTRIC


D


avid Hunter, energy analystcomments: “What Smart Power proposes should absolutely happen. It outlines a long-term,


positive impact on the future of our energy infrastructure, prioritising the UK’s future energy security and supply.


“With the technology and innovation available to us, the UK’s power grid should be leading the way. Yet legacy, wasteful power stations and an ageing infrastructure hold us back. With more centralised and local power generation sources giving a healthier mix of low carbon intermittent sources, we could revitalise our grid.


Harvesting the ‘Negawatt’


“Developments in interconnection, demand response and storage will make


our system more efficient and reduce the need for new-build plants, a goal sometimes referred to as the ‘negawatt’ – the power station you don’t have to build. “Interconnection across European markets would allow electricity to flow across borders from areas of excess supply to areas with excess demand. When the wind isn’t blowing, we could call upon French nuclear or Scandinavian hydro energy, and vice versa. Greater flexibility in industrial and commercial demand response has big potential for growth and is impacting already on tight supply capacity margins.


“Storage is the next big frontier for energy – Tesla’s Powerwall has shown the potential to transform grids. The combination of solar and battery storage could turn households into mini-power stations, as the expected explosion in electric vehicle ownership will


significantly increase electricity demand for transport. Conveniently, the cost of storage is coming down fast.


Managing energy at home


“At a domestic level, the Internet of Things, combined with energy storage, will enable households to take demand off-grid in response to price signals. This has to be encouraged by the enabling triad of technology in the home, smart meters and smart ‘time of use’ tariffs that will penalise usage at peak periods and incentivise load shedding or shifting to off-peak. The government needs to progress this, while ensuring that poorer, less tech ‘savvy’ (or less connected) households don’t get left behind.”


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