Scottish Power Energy Networks (SPEN) has teamed up with Smarter Grid Solutions (SGS) for a new trial for a smart network solution.
The partnership will see the two develop an online monitoring and control platform, which will allow SPEN to manage and export electricity from local generators in in Dumfries and Galloway to other areas of Scotland.
SGS’s Active Network Management System will allow the network to calculate in real time the amount of spare capacity it has, allowing it to avoid constraints through exporting electricity. In doing so it will reduce the amount of disconnections needed to balance the grid, keeping the electricity greener and cheaper.
Additionally, SGS’s technology will reduce the time it takes for SPEN to connect renewable energy to its networks, to increase the security of supply and improve flexibility.
Scott Mathieson, director of Network Planning and Regulation at SP Energy Networks, said that “south-west Scotland is the perfect place to trial this innovative technology,” thanks to the large renewable resource in Dumfries and Galloway and the high levels of demand across the region.
“At SP Energy Networks we are working every day to identify smarter, more agile ways to manage our network. Through innovative projects like this, we can deliver a reliable and robust, sustainable electricity supply to our customers and communities both now and in the future.
“It has the potential to double the region’s export capacity and enable large amounts of new green energy to be generated in the local area. This is all focused on building a better future, quicker for our customers.”
Flexibility and monitoring were identified by SGS as key areas of development for the DNO/DSO transition in a white paper published last year.
Graham Ault, executive director of the company said: “We are delighted to be delivering our leading network and energy management software solution to SP Energy Networks.
“This system uses our advanced technology embedded within our products to unlock value which has already been proven with SP Energy Networks and our other network operating customers in the UK, Europe and North America.”
SPEN has already begun investing in advanced technology to improve the network, including partnering with CGI to develop a ‘master model’ to target digitalisation.
