Learnings

Outcomes

The project has successfully field trialled the proposed PC&M System technology on a range of <2bar DG assets to help prove the technology on SGN live assets.

Consequently, SGN are now in the process of completing their final reviews of all project field trial evidence and performance data, potentially with a view to granting Product approval for possible ‘roll-out’ on its networks.

On the basis that SGN do grant final approval, then it is expected WWU will also consider carrying out their own final review, again with a view to potentially granting Product approval for possible use on its own networks.

Lessons Learnt

Excellent levels of communication between all Project Partners have been maintained since the start of the Project. However, the main Project Partner was fundamentally unaware of the potential issues that would be created by their initial proposed Phase 1 design; issues that were not properly identified until the first project field trials were fully underway. 

In hindsight, and with particular reference to Phase 1, if the Project Partners had been afforded more time earlier on, to scrutinise all of the relevant procedural elements that they needed to comply with, then this may have mitigated the need to change the scope of the Project, to allow further research to be undertaken via Phase 2. The appointed Technical Service Provider (TSP) also needed to have fully understood, in advance, what the final design would be expected to look like before being able to guide the main Project Partner appropriately.

Nevertheless, the initial learning taken from this Project, particularly with reference to equipment intended for use on a DG that is expected to be powered electrically (from whatever source), and may require earthing, telecommunications and/or some form of IT, is that it will be prudent to engage with relevant Electrical and Instrumentation (E&I) specialists as soon as practicably possible. SGNs E&I team were made available to support the Project early on, having been brought in to consult shortly after the Project commenced, however, future Projects of this calibre or nature could potentially benefit from their expertise and guidance being sought during the preliminary ‘setting up’ stages of the Project, and certainly prior to formal ENA registration.

The advancement to Phase 2 of the Project, also generated positive interest from WWU and the subsequent collaboration on this project has generated additional benefit, which in turn should also benefit the customers of SGN and WWU, also other GDNs. It is therefore important to note that useful ‘collaboration’ can potentially occur at any point along a Projects timeline.