UK Power Networks seeks to improve network reliability for Worst Served Customers, requiring an increase in network improvement projects. Whilst these improvement schemes already take place, they are often slow to deliver, and planners are required to manually analyse numerous datasets and key factors, such as the impact of site works on customer vulnerability or consenting requirements, to deliver efficient schemes. To overcome these constraints, the project will trial two tools: a proactive multi‑criteria tool to prioritise network interventions across the network, and an opportunistic tool that gives planners relevant, area‑specific insight during detailed design. Together, these tools will improve data insight, accelerate scheme development, and enable more holistic and efficient investment planning, leading to network reliability improvements for all customers including worst served.

Benefits

The solution being developed as part of this project will enable holistic, efficient, and economic investment across the network. Through both tools, planners will be able to automatically analyse network and third-party data to identify areas where there are a high number of faults and where network investment can be delivered efficiently. To improve the holistic design process schemes must factor in multiple requirements, including but not limited to customer vulnerability, land ownership, existing network performance, future load/LCT scenarios, asset health and vegetation management. 

Spatial mapping of these and other data sets enables the optioneering of the most valuable and cost‑effective interventions.

Through planning and delivering schemes in these areas, the reliability of the power supply to WSCs will be improved more quickly. In addition to WSCs, all other customers in these project areas will benefit from improved network reliability.