New view of low voltage substations helps steer investment
UK Power Networks has achieved the first ever disaggregated smart meter data trial in the electricity network industry.
The Distribution Network Operator which works across London, the East and the South East of England, has finished a trial in partnership with the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
Smart meters provide a refined half-hourly monitoring tool, which can help network operators as well as households managing their energy usage and spend.
Through this trial, UK Power Networks gained access to data protection regulation-certified information to analyse the energy usage of participating customers, and map that data to its local substations to better understand the demands on its network.
Using this data, UK Power Networks developed a machine-learning model to predict the utilisation of each substation in future, to decide where to invest in resiliency upgrades.
The smart meter data is also vital in UK Power Networks’ role as a Distribution System Operator (DSO), which was launched in May this year. By becoming the nation’s first independent DSO, UK Power Networks is ensuring there is sufficient electricity capacity to support the expected surge in electric vehicles, heat pumps, and renewable energy generators.
The DSO incentivises customers to move their consumption from peak demand times, for example, to off-peak, in a bid to ‘flatten the curve’. By making better use of trial data and flexibility, the DSO has committed to avoid more than £400m of network investment over the next five years.
UK Power Networks utilises the new model in conjunction with its Distribution Future Energy Scenarios which forecast energy usage for the coming years – to help inform teams when to procure flexibility or reinforce the network.
Luke Hughes, head of network planning, said: “This tool is transforming the way we work. The disaggregated smart meter data was key to assure every part of our network is modelled accurately, no matter how small or remote. This allows us to ensure there is always capacity in the network on time for our customers to be able to transition toward Net Zero.”
Martin Knoebel, analytics lead at UK Power Networks, added: “UK Power Networks is at the heart of the Net Zero transition and data driven solutions are key to ensure we enable every customer to connect EVs, heat pumps or solar panels quickly and cheaply.
“The trial enabled us to accelerate the development of these solutions and improve diversity, coverage and accuracy to a level that the business can rely on.”
Published: 09/11/23