The objective of the project is to develop a solution that can identify the number of LCTs (initially HPs and EV chargers) using data gathered from a Low Voltage (LV) feeders.

It is planned that the solution would deliver an output from at least two existing power quality monitor devices, and ideally any power quality monitor available on the market

The HP & EV determinator will enable Network Operators to validate the LCT uptake modelling and thus improve the accuracy of intervention plans. Collecting data allows assessment of when and where to reinforce the network. This data and validated models will help inform networks what demand will look like in the future, and outline what actions are necessary in order to maintain system operation.

Ultimately, the HP & EV determinator will benefit customers by ensuring DNO interventions are prioritised and delivered in timescales which avoid network barriers barriers to the electrification of domestic heat and transport.

Benefits

One of the primary benefits of this project is the improved accuracy in network planning and reinforcement. By providing precise data on the number of HPs and EV chargers, network operators can better assess when and where to reinforce the network, thus avoiding potential overloads and failures. This proactive approach not only enhances the reliability and safety of the electrical network but also reduces the need for emergency repairs, leading to significant cost savings.

Additionally, the project will have a positive environmental impact by optimizing the use of resources for network interventions. By targeting areas that need reinforcement the most, the project ensures efficient use of materials and minimizes unnecessary civil works. This targeted approach supports the broader goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by facilitating the smooth integration of LCTs into the electrical grid, thereby accelerating the transition to a more sustainable energy system.

The HP and EV Determinator will benefit customers by ensuring that network upgrades are prioritized and delivered in a timely manner, preventing any barriers to the adoption of LCTs. This will increase customer confidence in the network’s ability to support new technologies, ultimately encouraging more widespread adoption of HPs and EVs. The project also supports the energy systems transition by providing network operators with better foresight into load demands, enabling more strategic planning and investment.

Finally, Cost-Benefit Analysis have been carried out to estimate the project’s financial benefits for the SPD network license area, where the trialling of the project will take place. In order to avoid overlapping benefits already accounted for in the LV monitoring CBA it was assumed that the solution only provides benefits in the reinforcement of LV cables by providing detailed information on where the new loads are located across the network. As opposed to the detection of secondary transformer and feeder overloading which indicates the load on the feeder and the transformer. 

Two separate approaches have considered. The first one, the worst case, where it was assumed that new power quality monitors need to be purchased which then need the moved from substation to substation on a weekly basis. The second one, where the currently installed LV monitors are used for the monitoring so no additional hardware needs to be purchased and where the operation cost is also lower.