Strategic Context
The UK’s energy networks will require substantial investment in new capacity, technology development and innovation to accommodate renewable generation sources. There is scope for significant innovation in the way that energy is delivered to end customers. There will also be an important role for storage technologies to cater for more intermittent supplies. Heat networks may emerge as a critical new infrastructure requirement and there will be implications for the role of gas in the future energy mix together with investment in gas storage.
Programme Aim
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Adapt networks to enable a higher penetration of renewable and distributed generation with good security and quality of supply.
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Manage networks to provide greater flexibility between supply and demand to offset high CO2 peak demand.
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Reduce CO2 and environmental impact of existing networks.
Project summaries
Please click the following projects below for detail:
Offshore Connection Project
Date announced
November 2009
Project Partners
Overview
The project examined the specific challenges and opportunities arising from the connection of offshore energy to the UK grid system and considered the impact of large-scale offshore development. It also looked at novel electrical system designs and control strategies that could be developed to collect, manage and transmit energy back to shore and identified and assessed innovative technology solutions to these issues and quantified their benefits.
Network Capacity Project
Date announced
November 2009
Project Partners
Overview
The Network Capacity project identified and assessed new technology solutions that could enhance transmission and distribution capacity in the UK. It assessed the feasibility and quantified the benefits of using innovative approaches and novel technologies to provide improved management of power flows and increased capacity, enabling the increasing deployment of renewable energy sources in the UK.
Heat storage project
Date announced
November 2010
Completion date
Autumn 2011
Project Partners
Overview
Heat is the biggest end use of energy in the UK, accounting for 44% of the country’s energy consumption, most of this used for heating homes and providing hot water.
This project examines the feasibility of capturing large quantities of waste heat from power stations and industrial processes and storing it underground for use later in homes and offices.
It is investigating the cost effectiveness and practicalities of storing large quantities of heat for long periods to meet a significant proportion of the UK’s winter demand, evaluating the practical limits for this type of storage, the technology development needs and where in the country large-scale heat storage could be most effectively exploited.
Resistive Superconducting
Fault Current Limiter
Project Partners
- Applied Superconductor
- Western Power Distribution
- E-ON
- Rolls-Royce
Overview
Fault current levels are becoming a significant barrier to the installation of low-carbon and other distributed generation. Management of these fault levels is also a key enabler for the growth of smart distribution systems, offering improved operation, flexibility and efficiency.
This project will develop and demonstrate a resistive superconducting fault current limiter device, which will reduce the impact of faults on electricity distribution networks, helping the cost effective growth and increased flexibility and reliability of distribution systems, with more low carbon electricity generation installed in the distribution system.
It will be developed by Applied Superconductor Ltd, based in Blyth, Northumberland, in partnership with Rolls-Royce, and will be installed on the network at a Western Power Distribution substation in Loughborough, Leicestershire. E.ON will act as technical consultants.
Pre-saturated Core
Fault Current Limiter
Project Partners
- Grid On
- UK Power Networks
- E-ON
Overview
Fault current levels are becoming a significant barrier to the installation of low-carbon and other distributed generation.
Management of these fault levels is also a key enabler for the growth of smart distribution systems, offering improved operation, flexibility and efficiency.
This project will therefore develop and demonstrate a pre-saturated core fault current limiter device, which will reduce the impact of faults on electricity distribution networks, help the cost-effective growth and increased flexibility and reliability of distribution systems, with more low-carbon electricity generation installed in the distribution system.
It will be developed by GridON, based in Tel Aviv, Israel, and will be demonstrated in service at a UK Power Networks substation in Newhaven, East Sussex. E.ON will act as technical consultants.
