DISTRIBUTION
Next generation Distribution – how automation will define
our future energy grid Phil Dingle, director of Future Networks, says a key component of the energy transition is the shift toward a more flexible and distributed energy network, where we are less reliant on centralised fossil fuel power stations and source more of our energy in smaller, locally based assets such as solar and wind farms
Enabling the network of the future In its recent Net Zero Growth Plan, the government estimated £50-£150 billion of investment in the electricity network would be required in the next 15 years. However, a crucial element that must not be overlooked is the automation and continued monitoring of low voltage (LV) and medium voltage (MV) networks.
As the UK is already short of time to meet net zero goals, we cannot afford further delays in connecting and optimising the future network. It is critical that we acknowledge the challenges and demands of transitioning from a traditional grid to a modernised, distributed ‘smart grid’. Energy demands are expected to rise in a net zero future, with increased capacity of 60% needed to meet additional power requirements from technologies such as electric vehicles and heat pumps. Many of these low-carbon technologies will connect at the local, LV and MV distribution level. More assets and components will make up the network, resulting in a surge in infrastructure installation and labour costs, in an industry already struggling to meet the skills gap required to implement net zero technologies.
The impact of these pressures can be reduced by eliminating the need for manual testing, detecting faults earlier, and performing ongoing analysis of performance so that losses and thefts can more easily be accounted for. This can be achieved by including automation and monitoring on the LV/MV network. These data-driven technologies will also enable the flexibility required by future networks, as an improved real- time understanding of demand and performance can lead to better planning. The result – meeting energy demands at a more localised level, while disruption
10 JUNE 2023 | ELECTRONICS TODAY
can be minimised by reducing unplanned maintenance and improving safety. Increasing insight into low voltage grid data to reduce network maintenance costs and prevent unplanned outages These benefits don’t just apply to network infrastructure, they can improve electrical assets across other sectors too. For example, Lucy Electric worked with Kier Highways to deliver an award-winning innovation for National Highways aimed at reducing road closures for maintenance, thereby improving safety, public convenience, and cost savings.
The project focused on a section of the UK’s road infrastructure, where lighting columns and feeder pillars were fitted with Lucy’s GridKey measurement units, transmitting data 24/7 for real-time analytics, which can further ease the maintenance work by identifying the exact nature of faults and allowing the monitoring of results following repairs.
Based on the first six months’ data, real-time information from automated monitoring proved valuable, allowing significantly faster reaction time to support early intervention, and eliminating the need for Traffic Management for each test.
The technology effectively carries out a check every 24 hours, which has improved efficiency by generating test certificates and triggering alarms when necessary, enabling pre-emptive remedial work to address them quickly.
If rolled out across the national network, we estimated that approximately 500,000 man- hours of time on the road network would be saved each year, adding up to total estimated annual savings of £4 million and a payback for the system installation in less than a year.
Improving efficiency in this manner will drive cost-savings, which will ultimately benefit the consumer, and improves safety. This incentivises the use of automating and monitoring technology in new generation and distribution products, maximising their economic efficiency in the long-term. This technology can apply to many other private wire installations too, from industrial sites, residential and commercial developments, or renewables generation. Helping with continuity of supply and of the revenue that generates.
Lucy Electric
www.lucyelectric.com
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