An Active Network Management (ANM) system is to be rolled out in the south coast in a bid to more effectively manage distributed energy resources (DERs).
National Grid ESO, National Grid Electricity Transmission and Southern and Scottish Electricity Networks (SSEN) have partnered for the initiative, which is being run through the ESO’s Regional Development Programme.
The ANM is set to enable DERs to continue providing power to the grid during difficult system conditions, where previously they may have been restricted in anticipation of a fault or to avoid overloading the system.
This will help “unlock” the potential of DERs, as there is a growing volume in the region. ANM systems offer vast improvements compared with traditional ‘intertrip’ systems, the ESO said, as traditional systems only enable on or off settings for connected generators when faced with adverse network conditions.
The ANM, conversely, can potentially enable multiple DERs to continue to generate power within controllable limits, monitored and adjusted in real time to meet demand and reduce the need for generation to be curtailed.
The initiative also marks another step towards the ESO’s ambition of being able to operate a carbon free electricity system by 2025, it said.
“Regional development programmes like this are providing a great way to develop closer ways of working with other network organisations,” Julian Leslie, head of networks at National Grid ESO, said.
Stewart Reid, head of future networks at SSEN, said the ANM shows how the combination of renewables and smart network management can help the UK meet its net zero goals.
“It is great to see Active Network Management being applied at scale in the south of England, and SSEN are proud to be working with ESO on this RDP,” he added.
Another ANM is also being deployed by a consortium including Smarter Grid Solutions for UK Power Networks (UKPN), forming a part of what UKPN lauds as the UK’s most advanced network control system.