Loss of electricity, gas, or both occur across the UK due to a variety of reasons, ranging from natural causes, human error, and system overloads. Most outages do not last very long (ending in seconds to minutes), however, there are instances where network outages can last for extended periods of time (days to weeks). Though inconvenient for all consumers, the severity of impact can differ from each household, particularly where vulnerable individuals or persons requiring support from healthcare equipment are affected. During extended outages, local communities look to alleviate the impact by providing independent systems to provide heat or electricity output.
Benefits
The financial benefits which would directly accrue to the GB Gas Transportation System and/or electricity transmission or distribution.
Feasibility Study – production of a series of reports to assess need, impact, cost, and carbon footprint of proposed technology based on the modification of existing LIND Ltd technologies. These reports will provide information to the steering committee in their go/ no go decision.
Prototype Delivery – In house modifications to be developed and installed. Simulated operating and system efficiencies to be conducted. Proposal and production figures to be derived for steering committee to assess.
Learnings
Outcomes
The project primarily delivered research into the suitability of batteries to be used to keep boilers operational during power outages. A number of battery configurations were considered, using suitable EcoFlow batteries that were available to the market at the time of testing. A 768Wh and 1024Wh unit were selected for their electrical suitability and portability (size, weight etc.). Based on the test results, it is estimated that the 768Wh unit battery could run a standard domestic gas boiler for up to 8 hours, and with a slightly larger 1024Wh battery this could be extended to up to 10 hours.
The project has also delivered the following recommended end-to-end method for business-as-usual deployment of these mobile battery units:
- Identify the vulnerable residents most at risk from power outages and modify the electrical isolation point to their boilers by replacing the switch with a plug and unswitched socket (likely through social landlords and housing providers).
- Local utilities and supporting organisations use a portfolio of suitable batteries in their day-to-day operations.
- When there is a risk of power cuts the batteries are recalled in advance, charged to full and then installed similarly an Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS) in the properties most at risk. The size and type of batteries required at each property will be predetermined based on a boiler run hour budget and the batteries will automatically keep the boiler operational if there is a power cut.
- The battery state of charge can be monitored remotely for the highest risk residents or manually monitored where remote monitoring is not deemed necessary. In the event of an elongated power cut, the batteries can be replaced and recharged using the nearest local live power supplies or using mobile charging options already in place such as suitable electric vehicles.
- Once the power cut incident is over the portable batteries will be removed and returned to the day-to-day users again.
Lessons Learnt
This project has informed us that mobile battery units are a valid method for keeping boilers running in instances where there is a power outage but gas supply remains uninterrupted. This would be used to ensure that vulnerable consumers can remain warm in their homes during such events. Ideally, the batteries should be utilized year-round by network staff, and only deployed to vulnerable consumers when bad weather/power interruptions are expected or have occurred.
A small modification to the boiler system is required to enable the mobile battery units to power the boiler, namely swapping the standard switch isolation point with a three-pin plug and socket. Due to their large housing stock, social landlords/housing providers would make ideal partners for further testing and future deployment, as they could easily arrange for these minor changes to be made across their housing stock.
