The Intelligent Management and Post-fault Active Control Techniques (IMPACT) project represents a significant evolution of Active Network Management (ANM) systems for electricity distribution networks. Building on the success of earlier NGED projects such as Running Cool, IMPACT aims to introduce and combine innovative methods to enhance the capacity and flexibility of distribution networks. IMPACT will develop an intelligent system that calculates and safely selects post-fault and dynamic asset ratings for our next generation ANM. This approach has the potential to significantly reduce unnecessary curtailment for generation and demand customers, enabling more efficient utilisation of existing network infrastructure and faster, lower-cost connections.

Benefits

The Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) provides NGED with a mechanism to demonstrate the benefits of IMPACT in a controlled and low risk manner. If the methods are demonstrated and proven in the NIA, the solution will be capable of autonomously or semi-autonomously calculating and selecting enhanced or dynamic asset ratings for ANM systems. This will be a powerful tool to optimise ANM and transition to a more intelligent way of managing customers on curtailable connections. The solution will aim to be scalable and replicable across network areas. This will allow the post-trial solution to be deployed to additional locations as required by the business.