LUCID-LV: Learning Unknown Cable Impedance from Demand – Low Voltage

Status:

Live

Project Reference Number:

NGED_NIA_089

STRATEGY THEME:

Optimised assets and practices

START DATE:

END DATE:

Jun 2026Dec 2027

Project summary

Funding mechanism:

NIA_RIIO-2

Technology:

Asset Management
Comms and IT
Condition Monitoring
Control Systems
Digital Network
LV & 11kV Networks
Measurement
Modelling
Network Monitoring
Voltage Control

Expenditure:

£432,195

Preceding Projects:

NIA_WPD_066

Third Party Collaborators:

Loughborough University

LUCID-LV is an innovation project to improve understanding of low voltage (LV) network behaviour where existing cable data is incomplete or uncertain. The project uses smart meter voltage and demand data, combined with network topology, to infer key characteristics such as cable impedance without the need for intrusive or costly field surveys.

A key focus is extending analysis from feeder level to customer-level connections, including service cable and loop impedance, supporting more consistent assessment at the point of connection.

The project aligns with development of the Connection Readiness Indicator (CRI) and aims to enable faster, more transparent connection decisions. It is delivered by NGED in collaboration with Loughborough University (CREST), combining operational knowledge with advanced modelling expertise.

Benefits

Low voltage (LV) network planning and connection assessment currently rely on incomplete and uncertain cable data, particularly for underground and service cables. A significant proportion of the network lacks accurate impedance information, meaning that modelling is often based on assumed values rather than measured or inferred characteristics.

This creates uncertainty in voltage and thermal assessments, increasing the risk of inconsistent connection decisions, inefficient use of network capacity, and potentially unnecessary or mistimed reinforcement.

The issue is becoming more critical as demand from low carbon technologies (such as electric vehicles, heat pumps, and distributed generation) increases, driving more dynamic and less predictable network behaviour.

At the same time, there is a growing requirement to assess connection capability at customer level, particularly through the development of the Connection Readiness Indicator (CRI). This requires a more granular and consistent understanding of network conditions at the point of connection, which is not currently achievable with existing data and modelling approaches.

Similar projects

HV Pilot.

Technology:

Asset Management
Condition Monitoring
Conductors
Digital Network
LV & 11kV Networks
Maintenance & Inspections
Measurement
Modelling
Network Monitoring
Overhead Lines
Protection
Resilience
Substations
Transformers

Funding mechanism:

NIA_RIIO-2

Hi-5.

Start date:

Jul 2025

End date:

Oct 2029

Status:

Live

Technology:

Asset Management
Condition Monitoring
LV & 11kV Networks
Maintenance & Inspections
Measurement
Modelling
Network Monitoring

Funding mechanism:

NIA_RIIO-2

Automatic Location of Arc-faults through Remote Monitoring (ALARM).

Start date:

Sep 2019

End date:

May 2022

Status:

Complete

Technology:

Asset Management
Condition Monitoring
Fault Management
LV & 11kV Networks
Measurement
Network Monitoring
Substation Monitoring

Funding mechanism:

Network Innovation Allowance

About

Working with ENA

Network Innovation

Innovation Report

Innovation Events

LUCID-LV: Learning Unknown Cable Impedance from Demand – Low Voltage

Project summary

Benefits

Similar projects

HV Pilot.

Start date:

End date:

Status:

Technology:

Funding mechanism:

Hi-5.

Start date:

End date:

Status:

Technology:

Funding mechanism:

Automatic Location of Arc-faults through Remote Monitoring (ALARM).

Start date:

End date:

Status:

Technology:

Funding mechanism: