Project Summary
GridLINK seeks to demonstrate the use of a Digital Support System (DSS) to optimise the placement and network running arrangements of smart switches which dynamically link multiple LV feeders at multiple points on the LV network. The DSS will determine the running arrangement and placement based on number of network scenarios such as enabling more connections, improving access to low voltage flexibility, and network reliability providing more capacity and resilience to support in their customers' net-zero journeys.
Innovation Justification
The core innovative aspects of the GridLINK project lie in its transformative approach to addressing challenges associated with the adoption of low carbon technologies (LCT) in the UK's energy landscape.
1. Decision Support System for Optimisation of Placement of Smart Switches and Network Running Arrangements
2. Connectivity of Low Voltage Feeders
3. Exploration of iDNO Roles and Increased Interconnectivity
4. Foundation for Low Voltage Flexibility Markets
5. Addressing Uncertainty with Future Energy Scenarios
6. Data-Driven Decision Making
7. Enhanced Network Visibility and Reliability
GridLINK Utilises a novel digital solution to provide a Decision Support System, a Network Asset Deployment tool and new to market hardware that when used in tandem will allow configurable LV networks for optimal connection of over utilised and underutilised feeders for the same ground mounted substation and the optimal switching arrangements to be maintained enabling more LCT connections.
This project is innovative because releasing capacity in this way, coupled with advanced modelling and supported by an ongoing Digital DSS has not been demonstrated, coupled with the potential for interconnectivity between DNO/iDNO.
This project is is not appropriate for price control funding and risky: The combination of participants, technology along with the determination of linked feeders and optimal switching arrangements are novel and require demonstration. The project builds on multiple innovation projects in the past that have demonstrated both the value of meshing substations at the low voltage for sharing load across substations such as LV FUN and Smart Street. Those projects explored the benefits of network meshing at the LV level including load spreading and voltage regulation, but not at the feeder level and not potentially between DNO/iDNO.
The counterfactual to this solution is traditional reinforcement and costly cable overlay schemes which will deliver the required capacity, but importantly increase consumer bills, leave less flexibility in the network and cause consumer disruption.
The risks we are seeking to address is the forecasted steep increase in LCT connection and other associated load growth, the lack of configurability at by utilising novel new digital solutions to determine the optimal placement and running arrangements of hardware that allows multiple connection points between LV feeders, and establish capacity release by spreading load from feeders that are above average utilisation to below average utilisation.
Impacts and Benefits
Gridlink will deliver the following benefits to consumers:
1. Reduced socialised costs of infrastructure expenditure will be realised through a reduction in peak energy consumption. These benefits will be quantified against the counterfactual for each locality where the solution is deployed and will include Network operator costs for any network upgrades required.
2. Accelerating the decarbonisation of the network by reducing losses this will be achieved by spreading load between LV feeders. This will be quantified by analysing the measured output of power quality sensors embedded within the technology, calculating the losses avoided and converting this to a carbon saving benefit.
3. Increasing LV flexibility market participation by making the network more configurable and controllable relaxing thermal constraints on underground cables which could make calling on consumers to respond to a local constraint impractical and accelerate asset degradation.
4. lncreased network reliability -- The technology that is utilised by the trial can also be utilised to sectionalise faulting parts of the network, protecting many customers (including vulnerable) from the impacts of overloads or fault condition and provide fault locations to the Network Operator to allow for the quicker resolution of faults.
These benefits will be delivered through enabling a configurable connected network of feeders connected to the same ground mounted substation, paired with a Decision Support System that allows for optimal switch configuration for several scenarios to be considered. We will also consider how iDNO's can be interconnected with ONO networks where appropriate.
A full cost benefit analysis will be performed in the discovery phase but a high level assessment carried out shows the potential for 1744 km of low voltage cable deferred if the solution was deployed on 10% of Northern Powergrid ground mounted substations, which will be scaled to include the entire GB network as part of the CBA in the discovery phase and the enablement of quicker connection of LCT due to the release of additional hosting capacity.
In terms of carbon savings if the solution was applied to 10% of Northern Powergrid GM substations the carbon saving could be as high as 13,306 KtCO2e up to 2040.
