PILLAR: ASSETS AND OPERATIONS
Constellation
What we will do and why
Making substations smart by installing computers in them to analyse and reconfigure the network based on specific conditions to increase the resilience of the distribution network, free up capacity and allow more renewable generation to connect.
Key deliverables
- Smart substation architecture, design and implementation
- Site-to-site communication using a slice of the public 5G network
Target outcomes
- Reduced curtailment for distributed energy resources (DER)
- Release network capacity for distributed generation connections
- Increased ability to connect DER to the distribution network
Measures of success
- Percentage reduction in curtailment of distributed energy resources (DER)
- Increased stakeholder satisfaction
- Increased network utilisation
- Improved network resilience
Stakeholder Engagement
As part of Constellation we carried out three engagement sessions with stakeholders from the wider industry to validate the smart substation solutions. We carried out workshops with:
- Technology developers in the energy and IT industry
- Other Distribution Network Operators (DNO) in GB
- Owners of Distributed Energy Resources (DER)
The outputs from these sessions validated the need to enhance substations and make them smart.
Public Detailed Docs
Planned start:
01.05.2021
Target completion:
30.09.2025
Key milestones:
- Trials of the solutions at the Power Networks Demonstration Centre (Dec 2023)
- Trials of the solutions in two UK Power Networks areas (Jun 2024)
- Preparation for deployment into business as usual (May 2025)
- Project close down and reporting (Sep 2025)
Status:
On Track
| Date of change | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 22.12.2023 | Update |
Added stakeholder engagement information and additional detail. |
View other employees projects
Status: On Track
Target End: 31.12.2025
Project Evolve
Ensuring our processes and systems deliver cost efficiencies, improved customer services and support our RIIO-ED2 commitments. We are delivering an improved work management solution to support our field staff; ensuring work delivered more efficiently and data is captured more effectively. Alongside this, we are improving and upgrading our customer and supplier relationship management applications to improve interactions with our customers and our suppliers.
Status: Extended
Target End: 31.03.2024
Concerto
Develop a robust power quality assessment tool that reduces wait times for assessments to be undertaken and can be integrated with customer facing connection tools such as Smart Connect.
Status: Delayed
Target End: 31.08.2024
Smart Meter Data
Utilisation of data from smart meters to increase efficiency and accuracy of network operation and control, planning and asset management activities, and delivery of enhanced services to customers.