This project follows on from NIA_SSEN_0030 Whole-System Growth Scenario Modelling, which developed an initial model tool which demonstrated network impacts and informed possible investment decisions over a two-decade time period.
Objectives
1 Enhance a model tool to incorporate new governmental targets for economic and sustainable action plans and provide greater granularity by incorporating the 11kv network.
2 Understand the possible patterns of change associated with the Scottish Government 2045 climate change targets (Note: the UK target is 2050) in the distribution networks served by a single Grid Supply Point in an area of accelerated EV growth. Develop optimum solutions to meet whole system needs.
3 Validate and calibrate inputs for whole system planning with existing or planned requirements/expectations for the Local Authorities to avoid unnecessary extra work in producing local energy plans/strategies.
4 Develop a methodology and framework that allows the two-way transfer of knowledge and understanding between network operators and those that make investment decisions in the areas served by the network, to facilitate efficient whole system planning.
Learnings
Outcomes
As the project changed significantly from the original PEA document it meant that many of the objectives were not met, as they no longer applied. However, there were some key outcomes:
1. We showed that an Application Programming Interface(API) could be established between the Navi powerflow tool and LAEP+, that gave Local Authorities access to network modelling capabilities for the first time in a simple and easy to use manner. This proof of concept proved what was possible, but also highlighted issues i.e. our LV network data requires additional work before we can reliably use it for LAEP purposes. For the next phase of RESOP, we are working closely with the business to correct this LV data and also use HV and EHV data to allow us to perform LV to EHV network analysis for the purpose of understanding LAEP impacts. This will be achieved using Power Factory rather than Navi, as it already has HV and EHV data modelled.
2. We proved that some aspects of Local Area Energy Planning could be simplified using LAEP+ i.e. immediate projects, such as placing EV chargers and heat pumps. However, the tool requires more development before it can produce full LAEPs i.e. long-term plans and so more development is taking place in RESOP.
3. We found that Local Authorities were excited by the prospect of using the tool, based on the demonstrations and there was a pull from additional Local Authorities to use it. As a result, we are rolling the tool out to all our Local Authorities throughout the RESOP project to better inform its development.
4. Even with the LAEP+ tool being available, Local Authorities were requesting consultants to use the tool on their behalf due to resource constraints. Therefore, there is still a place for consultants to build LAEPs on behalf of Local Authorities but use LAEP+ instead of or in conjunction with their own modelling tools.
5. The LAEP+ tool has been private labelled as LENZA (Local Energy Net Zero Accelerator) and has been adopted by our Whole Systems team who are using it to facilitate collaboration between SSEN and Local Authorities.
Lessons Learnt
1. Capacity and Resource – Local Authorities have limited resource to create LAEPs. Any process established by the DNOs must be mindful of this and consider options to minimise ‘extra work’ by looking at data already being produced or in the public domain to support plans.
2. Data availability - Data varies in quality, availability, and consistency across Local Authorities. Dundee City Council is progressive and has more data than most other Local Authorities on EVs, but the methodology produced by this project must be consistent and replicable across all regions. This means some assumptions like the adoption of EV’s between 2025 and 2030 will need to be clearly defined, to ensure the methodology produced can be applied to all regions.
3. Data sharing – This has proved to be the most time-consuming element of the project. Attempting to obtain Scottish Government building data has proved challenging due to legal and contractual issues. We now have a replicable data sharing agreement that we will be able to use with all Local Authorities in the future. However, this is not an optimal solution, ideally this data is made more available in the future.
4. Network data – SSEN network data at LV is patchy and requires significant corrections before it can be used reliably for power flow modelling.
