Western Power Distribution (WPD) has shared its mapped data of future energy scenarios for the first time.
The data gives an illustration of the distribution of growth for different technologies across WPD’s licence areas, and is based on National Grid ESO’s Future Energy Scenarios framework, which is enhanced with WPD’s own data.
The latest Distribution Future Energy Scenarios (DFES) map presents the way in which the distribution network is expected to evolve over the next 12 years, out to 2032. It takes into account increases in demand, storage and distributed generation alongside the uptake of low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles (EVs) and heat pumps.
It shows this across a variety of scenarios in each of WPD’s four licence areas.
For instance, in 2032 under the community renewables scenario in the East Midlands, there is expected to be 52.3MW of response service battery storage, 228MW of ground-mounted solar PV, over 41,000 fully electric cars and 180.1MW of onshore wind.
This can then be compared to other service areas, scenarios and years.
The data helps to identify and respond to any local catalysts, ambitions or investments that may speed up or alter predicted changes to the network, WPD said.
Previously, it had only been shared with local authorities and their partner organisations. Now, it has been published on WPD’s website to allow anyone to understand, use and feedback on the data, according to the company.
Ben Godfrey, network strategy manager at WPD, said that this is an “important step” in sharing its forecasts for how energy consumption, generation and storage is expected to change.
“We already use the data to forecast our demand, generation and storage growth rates and inform the amount of investment we expect to make on the network.
“We are now beginning to go one step further and seek feedback on our forecasting to ensure it aligns with the ambitions and expectations of key stakeholders driving the energy system, such as local authorities and local enterprise partnerships.”
The map, which is updated annually, can be viewed here.
