Honeywell Building Solutions Automated Demand Response (ADR) technology is in use in the USA and Asia to reduce load on the network at time of peak demand. This project will trial the above solution on a GB High Voltage/Low Voltage (HV/LV) network to ascertain whether it can effectively help manage the constraints network operators are likely to find as they move into a low carbon economy. However, before a DNO can use such technologies to manage the network, it is important to ensure that the communication and automated aggregation of the load shedding systems proposed have the functionality to produce the desired load reductions.

The electricity network in Bracknell and the wider Thames Valley area is typical of many urban and suburban areas in the GB: it serves a diverse mix of industrial, commercial and small business development.

As the area has developed, its electrical demand has increased and the demand profile has changed. Looking ahead, we expect that there will be increased demand associated with further economic development, along with demand rises linked to the anticipated increased penetration of Electric Vehicles, solar arrays and heat pumps.

Bracknell's primary transformers are already operating at close to capacity, which means they will not be able to accommodate further significant increases in electricity demand without being substantially upgraded. Furthermore, unless effectively managed, the anticipated changes in demand levels and load profiles will trigger network problems including voltage and thermal constraints. In order that Bracknell can continue to reliably supply electricity to it's customers, there is a need for a solution which safely, quickly and sustainably optimises the use of the available capacity on the network.

Objectives

This small scale project aims to demonstrate that the ADR technology proposed can shed peak loads in the proposed buildings.

SEPD will run a pilot project of Honeywell's ADR solution to answer the following questions:

• Can the proposed ADR solution produce an aggregated figure of despatchable demand?

• Can it reduce/shift peak loads in facilities and therefore the network?

• What data can be collated and what value is it to a DNO and how will it be securely stored?

This project will demonstrate the feasibility of this solution and will provide valuable learning for all DNO's in GB. The learning from this trial may also feed into SEPD's New Thames Valley Vision Tier 2 LCNF submission.