PLATFORM GRANT RENEWAL - ELECTRICAL ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE TO 2050
Lead Research Organisation:
Imperial College London
Department Name: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Abstract
This proposal for renewal of a Platform Grant is based on the recognition that major changes in the UK energy infrastructure are needed to meet the energy policy goals of Sustainability, Security, Competitiveness and the elimination of Fuel Poverty. Our vision for the Platform Grant renewal reflects these changes and the need for more radical approaches in energy research. We wish to use the renewed Platform Grant to investigate the energy infrastructure that the UK will need out to 2050 and beyond. This will include technical aspects of gas and electricity infrastructure but also regulatory pathways that will support the policy goals. We would intend to use the Platform Grant resources to allow speculative research to be undertaken in preparation of major project funding bids, to develop further tools for the analysis of energy systems and to support research staff during short term gaps in funding. We particularly value the flexibility of the Platform Grant for developing the careers of younger research staff and would intend to continue to encourage researchers, at a suitable stage in their careers, to apply for permanent posts in UK universities and industry. The initial Platform Grant was, in our view, extremely successful with 3 of the RAs supported now permanent lecturers in UK universities and a significant contribution made to the understanding of how Distributed Generation could be integrated into the UK power system. Additional funding in excess of 7.5M was held by the Investigators during the period of the Platform Grant. 21 papers were published in the IEE Proceedings and the IEEE Transactions during this period and 7 major reports were submitted to DTI and OFGEM. Within the UK, the future architecture of the energy infrastructure is the subject of vibrant debate. The routes to implementation of this architecture are even more uncertain. Options range from fully distributed micro-generation to the integration of very large scale (GW) renewable or other low-carbon generation technologies including nuclear. Presently there are a number of research initiatives addressing micro generation and the Investigators contribute to a number of these projects. Therefore the initial research focus of the renewed Platform Grant will be on electricity and gas transmission systems although the flexibility of the Platform Grant will be utilized to remain responsive to changes in energy policy. We are, of course aware of the obvious desirability of reducing demand through demand reduction but consider the difficulty of substituting fossil fuels in transport to be so great that a large increase in electricity supply and transportation capacity may be necessary to supply stationary loads if the use of fossil fuels is reserved for transport.The Platform Grant resources will be used to allow speculative research to be undertaken in preparation of major project funding bids, to develop tools for the analysis of energy systems and to support research staff during short term gaps in funding. A series of exchanges of research staff between Imperial College and Manchester is planned. The flexibility of the Platform Grant will be used to support the career development of research staff including allowing them time to widen their research interests, to learn new techniques and engage with the rapidly changing energy research scene.
People |
ORCID iD |
| Goran Strbac (Principal Investigator) |
Publications
Anaya-Lara O
(2007)
Provision of a synchronising power characteristic on DFIG-based wind farms
in IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution
Aunedi M
(2013)
Economic and Environmental Benefits of Dynamic Demand in Providing Frequency Regulation
in IEEE Transactions on Smart Grid
Black M
(2007)
Value of Bulk Energy Storage for Managing Wind Power Fluctuations
in IEEE Transactions on Energy Conversion
Calvo J
(2016)
Incorporating failures of System Protection Schemes into power system operation
in Sustainable Energy, Grids and Networks
Castro M
(2011)
Reliability-driven transmission investment in systems with wind generation
in IET Generation, Transmission & Distribution
Chaudry M
(2008)
Multi-time period combined gas and electricity network optimisation
in Electric Power Systems Research
Cobelo I
(2006)
State estimation of networks with distributed generation
in European Transactions on Electrical Power
Da Silva Vera Lucia Fernandes De Paiva
(2010)
Value of flexibility in systems with large wind penetration
Djapic P
(2008)
Further analysis for design of offshore infrastructure
| Description | This work was focused on investigating novel methodologies to support the development of new electricity transmission network design standards. This is important as delivering renewable targets cost effectively, will require fundamental changes in the historical philosophy of network operation and considerable investment. Through the developed methodologies and modelling carried out on the GB transmission network we demonstrated the present deterministic network design paradigm is not efficient, as the degree of security provided by the deterministic security criteria, using generic rules applied to all situations, will not be optimal in any particular instance as the cost of providing the prescribed level of redundancy is not compared with the reliability profile (cost) delivered. We hence proposed probabilistic cost-benefit based framework includes key ingredients required for the development of future network operation (and development) standards to support efficient delivery of a low carbon electricity system. Only probabilistic standards can be used for determining the network capacity that should be released to network users in real time that will maximise the value of network access to all network users. Only probabilistic security standards can provide the basis for risks of supply interruptions to be understood, quantified and managed through optimising the amount the network capacity that is released to network users. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the transmission investment can be substituted by more efficient smart grid technologies such as special protection schemes, coordinated voltage control technique supported by wide-area monitoring and control systems and grid friendly controllers for demand side management. |
| Exploitation Route | Methodologies develop can support the fundamental reviews of traditional electricity network design standards and adoption of smart grid technologies. |
| Sectors | Creative Economy Energy Environment |
| Description | This research informed the Fundamental Review of electricity network security/design standards carried out by Imperial team in 2013-2015 with the Energy Network Association in collaboration with Distribution Network Operators, OFGEM and DECC |
| First Year Of Impact | 2013 |
| Sector | Energy,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Economic |
| Description | G Strbac, Member of Annex 23 of the International Energy Agency - Power Systems Offshore Wind Technology and Deployment |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Informing market and regulatory framework design |
| Description | G Strbac, Member of Annex 25 of the International Energy Agency - Power Systems with Large Amounts of Wind Power |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Informing market and regulatory framework |
| Description | G Strbac, Member of the EU Expert Group on Integration of EU Balancing Markets, formed by the Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators, ACER, (2011-2012) |
| Geographic Reach | Europe |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | Informing Government about electrical energy market |
| URL | https://ec.europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/20130610_eu_balancing_master.pdf |
| Description | G Strbac, Member of the International Council on Large Electric Systems (CIGRE) - Study Committee on Distribution Networks and Distributed Generation, representing UK (since 2010) |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Impact | Advising Government about developments related to smart grids and sustainable generation |
| URL | http://www.cigre.org |
| Description | G Strbac, Member of the Review Group of the Great Britain Security and Quality of Supply Standard (2008-2010) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | The cost-benefit methodology for optimal transmission design that Imperial College London team developed, documented in reports of the Centre for Sustainable Electricity and Distributed Generation, demonstrated to government, wind generation developers and network operators that following the conventional on-shore design rules (where network redundancy is a key feature) in off-shore development would be inefficient and would led to significant over-investment. The cost-benefit analysis undertaken by Imperial team, clearly demonstrated that there was no case for redundancy given the high cost of offshore cables (10-20 times onshore overhead lines) which was balanced against the low load factor (40%) of offshore wind farm generation, the low security value of offshore wind and the absence of demand offshore. There are 20 offshore wind farms operational or under construction with a combined capacity of almost 4,000 MW. As documented by the Regulator Ofgem, the cost of the offshore network assets is £2.5bn and I estimate that the design with the new standard, based on the methodology developed by Prof Strbac and his team, made savings of more than £500m. These benefits will significantly increase as further offshore projects are developed to meet the 2020 targets. It is presently envisaged that some 11GW of around 3 windfarms will be required, with potential further savings of £1-2Bn. |
| Description | G Strbac, Providing evidence to House of Commons Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change - UK Energy Supply: Security or Independence? (May 2011) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Informed Government about balancing electrical energy between countries |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmenergy/1065/1065.pdf |
| Description | G Strbac, Providing evidence to House of Lords Select Committee on European Union, Renewables Obligation and delivery of Renewable Electricity (April 2008) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Implementation circular/rapid advice/letter to e.g. Ministry of Health |
| Impact | Informing government about integration of renewables in electricity system |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldselect/ldeucom/175/8042101.htm |
| Description | G Strbac, Special Advisor to House of Commons Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change: The future of Britain's electricity networks (2009-2010) |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Informing Government about potential regulatory and policy framework issues that will be integral to the development of a smart grid |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmenergy/194/19402.htm |
| Description | Smart Systems Forum |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Membership of a guideline committee |
| Description | Special Advisor to House of Commons Select Committee on Energy and Climate Change: The future of Britain's electricity networks |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Policy Influence Type | Contribution to a national consultation/review |
| Impact | Informed electricity network regulation to consider smart grid technologies in facilitating cost effective evolution to lower carbon future. |
| URL | http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200910/cmselect/cmenergy/194/194.pdf |
| Description | UK representative in International Energy Agency Annex 25 - Power Systems with Large Amounts of Wind Power |
| Geographic Reach | Multiple continents/international |
| Policy Influence Type | Participation in a guidance/advisory committee |
| Impact | Informed development of regimes for supporting development of renewable generation sources |
| URL | http://www.ieawind.org/task_25.html |
| Description | Commission of the European Communities |
| Amount | £309,636 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | G4V |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 03/2008 |
| End | 04/2011 |
| Description | EU Framework Programme |
| Amount | € 350,000 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | iTesla |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 05/2012 |
| End | 06/2015 |
| Description | FP7, ClusterDesign |
| Amount | € 549,697 (EUR) |
| Funding ID | 283145 |
| Organisation | European Commission |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | European Union (EU) |
| Start | 12/2011 |
| End | 06/2016 |
| Description | Low Carbon Network Funding |
| Amount | £1,650,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Ofgem Office of Gas and Electricity Markets |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 03/2011 |
| End | 12/2014 |
| Description | NIA, Ofgem, LRE |
| Amount | £1 (GBP) |
| Organisation | UK Power Networks |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2013 |
| End | 05/2014 |
| Description | National Grid, Quantifying benefits and risks of applying advanced network control and demand response technologies to enhance transmission network performance |
| Amount | £353,655 (GBP) |
| Organisation | National Grid UK |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2010 |
| End | 09/2013 |
| Description | Ofgem, ITPR |
| Amount | £1 (GBP) |
| Organisation | Ofgem Office of Gas and Electricity Markets |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 05/2013 |
| End | 06/2013 |
| Description | Quantifying benefits and risks of applying advanced network control and demand response technologies to enhance transmission network performance |
| Amount | £485,000 (GBP) |
| Organisation | National Grid UK |
| Sector | Private |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 09/2011 |
| End | 10/2015 |
| Description | Standard Research - NR1, EPSRC |
| Amount | £1,005,771 (GBP) |
| Funding ID | EP/L001039/1 |
| Organisation | Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) |
| Sector | Public |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Start | 12/2013 |
| End | 12/2016 |
| Title | Probabilistic network operation and planning |
| Description | New model for optimally designing and operating electricity transmission network |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Supported fundamental review of Network Design Standards |
| Title | Reliability assessment of distribution networks |
| Description | Calculation of distribution network reliability performance |
| Type Of Material | Improvements to research infrastructure |
| Provided To Others? | No |
| Impact | Application in review of P2 security of supply standard |
| Description | Development of Transmission Network Design Standards: the first Offshore Network Design Standards |
| Organisation | Government of the UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | In 2008 Imperial College London team, led by Prof Strbac, provided the analytical basis for the design of emerging low-carbon electricity transmission networks. In particular this methodology was used for the development of the first Offshore Network Design Standards; it supported the Fundamental Review of the Supply Quality and Security Standards and the National Grid transmission investment programme recently approved by the Regulator. The cost-benefit methodology for optimal transmission design that Imperial team developed, documented in reports of the Centre for Sustainable Electricity and Distributed Generation, demonstrated to government, wind generation developers and network operators that following the conventional on-shore design rules (where network redundancy is a key feature) in off-shore development would be inefficient and would led to significant over-investment. The cost-benefit analysis undertaken by Imperial team, clearly demonstrated that there was no case for redundancy given the high cost of offshore cables (10-20 times onshore overhead lines) which was balanced against the low load factor (40%) of offshore wind farm generation, the low security value of offshore wind and the absence of demand offshore. |
| Collaborator Contribution | The Government set up the GB Offshore Transmission Expert Group (OTEG). OTEG set up Security and Quality of Supply Standard Sub-group that coordinated activities. |
| Impact | Reports Cost benefit methodology for optimal design of offshore transmission systems Further analysis for design of offshore infrastructure Grid integration options for offshore wind farms |
| Start Year | 2008 |
| Description | UK Centre for Sustainable Electricity and Distributed Generation (funded by then DTI and BERR), collaboration between Imperial, Strathclyde and Cardiff University (until 2010) |
| Organisation | Cardiff University |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Lead work on many projects and dissemination and other activities Development of UK Generic Distribution System Update of laboratory at University of Manchester Update of laboratory at Imperial College London Operation of active distribution networks Planning of active distribution networks Pricing of distribution networks with distributed generation Update of transmission security standards to include wind power Framework for determining system capacity costs of intermittency Transmission pricing in systems with significant wind penetration Integration of Distributed Generation into the UK power system Update of GB SQSS for onshore wind Update of Offshore GB SQSS Development of Offshore Grid Code |
| Collaborator Contribution | Lead work on many projects Control of DFIGs for wind farm operation Development of UK Generic Distribution System Novel protection methods for active distribution networks with DG Technical and economic aspects of integration of microgeneration in the operation and development of UK electricity system Update of laboratory at Strathclyde Characterisation of Wind Power Output Demand Side Participation Offshore wind energy transmission systems |
| Impact | Reports Development of UK Generic Distribution System Planning and operation of active distribution networks Pricing of distribution networks with distributed generation Update of transmission security standards to include wind power Framework for determining system capacity costs of intermittency Transmission pricing in systems with significant wind penetration Integration of Distributed Generation into the UK power system Update of GB SQSS for onshore wind Update of Offshore GB SQSS Development of Offshore Grid Code Control of DFIGs for wind farm operation Development of UK Generic Distribution System Novel protection methods for active distribution networks with DG Technical and economic aspects of integration of microgeneration in the operation and development of UK electricity system Characterisation of Wind Power Output Demand Side Participation Offshore wind energy transmission systems Conferences C. Vasilakos, R. Moreno, D. Pudjianto, C. Ramsay and G. Strbac (2008) Transmission Investment in BETTA: A Cost - Benefit Approach, CIGRE NGN Paris Session, Power System Networks for the 21st Century and Beyond D. Pudjianto, M. Castro, P. Djapic, B. Stojkovska, C. Ramsay, G. Strbac, R. N. Allan. 'Transmission Investment and Pricing in Systems with Significant Penetration of Wind Generation.' CIGRE Session 2008, Paris, France. 24 - 29 August 2008 M. Castro, P. Djapic, D. Pudjianto, C. Ramsay, G. Strbac, R. N. Allan. 'Review of the Great Britain security standards to include wind power.' 7th International Workshop on Large Scale integration of wind Power and on Transmission Networks for Offshore wind Farms, Madrid, Spain. 26 - 27 May 2008 J.B. Ekanayake, N. Jenkins, G. Strbac, "Frequency Response from Wind Turbines", Wind Engineering, Volume 32, No. 6, 2008 R. Moreno, C.Vasilakos, D. Pudjianto, G. Strbac, A Cost - Benefit Approach for Transmission Investment with a Non-Linear Transmission Cost Function has been accepted for presentation at the 2009 IEEE Bucharest PowerTech Conference, on 28th June to 2nd July 2009 at the Parliament Palace, Bucharest - Romania R. Moreno, C. Vasilakos, M. Castro, D. Pudjianto, G. Strbac,"Impact of Wind Generation Intermittency on Transmission Expansion Models", accepted for panel session, CIGRE/PES GM in Calgary, June 2009 SEDG, "Response to OFGEM letter: Managing Constraints on the GB Transmission Systems", March 2009 |
| Description | UK Centre for Sustainable Electricity and Distributed Generation (funded by then DTI and BERR), collaboration between Imperial, Strathclyde and Cardiff University (until 2010) |
| Organisation | Government of the UK |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Public |
| PI Contribution | Lead work on many projects and dissemination and other activities Development of UK Generic Distribution System Update of laboratory at University of Manchester Update of laboratory at Imperial College London Operation of active distribution networks Planning of active distribution networks Pricing of distribution networks with distributed generation Update of transmission security standards to include wind power Framework for determining system capacity costs of intermittency Transmission pricing in systems with significant wind penetration Integration of Distributed Generation into the UK power system Update of GB SQSS for onshore wind Update of Offshore GB SQSS Development of Offshore Grid Code |
| Collaborator Contribution | Lead work on many projects Control of DFIGs for wind farm operation Development of UK Generic Distribution System Novel protection methods for active distribution networks with DG Technical and economic aspects of integration of microgeneration in the operation and development of UK electricity system Update of laboratory at Strathclyde Characterisation of Wind Power Output Demand Side Participation Offshore wind energy transmission systems |
| Impact | Reports Development of UK Generic Distribution System Planning and operation of active distribution networks Pricing of distribution networks with distributed generation Update of transmission security standards to include wind power Framework for determining system capacity costs of intermittency Transmission pricing in systems with significant wind penetration Integration of Distributed Generation into the UK power system Update of GB SQSS for onshore wind Update of Offshore GB SQSS Development of Offshore Grid Code Control of DFIGs for wind farm operation Development of UK Generic Distribution System Novel protection methods for active distribution networks with DG Technical and economic aspects of integration of microgeneration in the operation and development of UK electricity system Characterisation of Wind Power Output Demand Side Participation Offshore wind energy transmission systems Conferences C. Vasilakos, R. Moreno, D. Pudjianto, C. Ramsay and G. Strbac (2008) Transmission Investment in BETTA: A Cost - Benefit Approach, CIGRE NGN Paris Session, Power System Networks for the 21st Century and Beyond D. Pudjianto, M. Castro, P. Djapic, B. Stojkovska, C. Ramsay, G. Strbac, R. N. Allan. 'Transmission Investment and Pricing in Systems with Significant Penetration of Wind Generation.' CIGRE Session 2008, Paris, France. 24 - 29 August 2008 M. Castro, P. Djapic, D. Pudjianto, C. Ramsay, G. Strbac, R. N. Allan. 'Review of the Great Britain security standards to include wind power.' 7th International Workshop on Large Scale integration of wind Power and on Transmission Networks for Offshore wind Farms, Madrid, Spain. 26 - 27 May 2008 J.B. Ekanayake, N. Jenkins, G. Strbac, "Frequency Response from Wind Turbines", Wind Engineering, Volume 32, No. 6, 2008 R. Moreno, C.Vasilakos, D. Pudjianto, G. Strbac, A Cost - Benefit Approach for Transmission Investment with a Non-Linear Transmission Cost Function has been accepted for presentation at the 2009 IEEE Bucharest PowerTech Conference, on 28th June to 2nd July 2009 at the Parliament Palace, Bucharest - Romania R. Moreno, C. Vasilakos, M. Castro, D. Pudjianto, G. Strbac,"Impact of Wind Generation Intermittency on Transmission Expansion Models", accepted for panel session, CIGRE/PES GM in Calgary, June 2009 SEDG, "Response to OFGEM letter: Managing Constraints on the GB Transmission Systems", March 2009 |
| Description | UK Centre for Sustainable Electricity and Distributed Generation (funded by then DTI and BERR), collaboration between Imperial, Strathclyde and Cardiff University (until 2010) |
| Organisation | University of Strathclyde |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Academic/University |
| PI Contribution | Lead work on many projects and dissemination and other activities Development of UK Generic Distribution System Update of laboratory at University of Manchester Update of laboratory at Imperial College London Operation of active distribution networks Planning of active distribution networks Pricing of distribution networks with distributed generation Update of transmission security standards to include wind power Framework for determining system capacity costs of intermittency Transmission pricing in systems with significant wind penetration Integration of Distributed Generation into the UK power system Update of GB SQSS for onshore wind Update of Offshore GB SQSS Development of Offshore Grid Code |
| Collaborator Contribution | Lead work on many projects Control of DFIGs for wind farm operation Development of UK Generic Distribution System Novel protection methods for active distribution networks with DG Technical and economic aspects of integration of microgeneration in the operation and development of UK electricity system Update of laboratory at Strathclyde Characterisation of Wind Power Output Demand Side Participation Offshore wind energy transmission systems |
| Impact | Reports Development of UK Generic Distribution System Planning and operation of active distribution networks Pricing of distribution networks with distributed generation Update of transmission security standards to include wind power Framework for determining system capacity costs of intermittency Transmission pricing in systems with significant wind penetration Integration of Distributed Generation into the UK power system Update of GB SQSS for onshore wind Update of Offshore GB SQSS Development of Offshore Grid Code Control of DFIGs for wind farm operation Development of UK Generic Distribution System Novel protection methods for active distribution networks with DG Technical and economic aspects of integration of microgeneration in the operation and development of UK electricity system Characterisation of Wind Power Output Demand Side Participation Offshore wind energy transmission systems Conferences C. Vasilakos, R. Moreno, D. Pudjianto, C. Ramsay and G. Strbac (2008) Transmission Investment in BETTA: A Cost - Benefit Approach, CIGRE NGN Paris Session, Power System Networks for the 21st Century and Beyond D. Pudjianto, M. Castro, P. Djapic, B. Stojkovska, C. Ramsay, G. Strbac, R. N. Allan. 'Transmission Investment and Pricing in Systems with Significant Penetration of Wind Generation.' CIGRE Session 2008, Paris, France. 24 - 29 August 2008 M. Castro, P. Djapic, D. Pudjianto, C. Ramsay, G. Strbac, R. N. Allan. 'Review of the Great Britain security standards to include wind power.' 7th International Workshop on Large Scale integration of wind Power and on Transmission Networks for Offshore wind Farms, Madrid, Spain. 26 - 27 May 2008 J.B. Ekanayake, N. Jenkins, G. Strbac, "Frequency Response from Wind Turbines", Wind Engineering, Volume 32, No. 6, 2008 R. Moreno, C.Vasilakos, D. Pudjianto, G. Strbac, A Cost - Benefit Approach for Transmission Investment with a Non-Linear Transmission Cost Function has been accepted for presentation at the 2009 IEEE Bucharest PowerTech Conference, on 28th June to 2nd July 2009 at the Parliament Palace, Bucharest - Romania R. Moreno, C. Vasilakos, M. Castro, D. Pudjianto, G. Strbac,"Impact of Wind Generation Intermittency on Transmission Expansion Models", accepted for panel session, CIGRE/PES GM in Calgary, June 2009 SEDG, "Response to OFGEM letter: Managing Constraints on the GB Transmission Systems", March 2009 |
| Description | UKPN, LRE |
| Organisation | UK Power Networks |
| Country | United Kingdom |
| Sector | Private |
| PI Contribution | As a major part of the development of our business and investment plans associated with reinforcement of our distribution networks, and given the unique modelling capability developed by Imperial College London team led by Prof Strbac, in 2011 UK Power Networks and Imperial commenced a joint project. The key objective was to develop, and then apply, a novel Load Related Expenditure Network Model that would provide enhanced long-term plans of the investment we need carry out across our three network areas, London, South East and East of England, in order to increase network capacity to accommodate demand and generation growth. This new tool enabled, for the first time, comprehensive impact assessments of a range of network development scenarios, including various uptake levels of low carbon technologies such as electric vehicles, heat pumps, commercial air conditioning, various forms of Distributed Generation including a range of smart grid technologies and energy efficiency measures. The model is all-inclusive and identifies constraints on all assets, circuits, substations, switchgear etc, for a range of conditions including thermal, voltage and fault-level, across all voltage levels (0.4kV, 11kV, 33kV/66kV and 132kV). The scale of network investment analysis that Imperial tool is capable of assessing is particularly impressive as the number of consumers in the UK Power Networks service areas is more than 8,000,000, supplied through more than 120,000 of distribution transformers with the total network length exceeding 180,000km. Imperial tool carries out detailed modelling of network voltage and thermal constraints and identifies the minimum cost network reinforcement for all our assets, while considering a number of different future development scenarios across multi-decade time horizons. |
| Collaborator Contribution | Provided networks database and advise about planning practice. |
| Impact | Load related expenditure model |
| Start Year | 2011 |
| Description | Benefits of Smart Grids in Future Low-carbon Electricity Systems, Berlin, European Institute of Innovation and Technology - Smart Energy Summer School,August 2013. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of Benefits of Smart Grids in Future Low-carbon Electricity Systems and discussion afterwards Higher interest in the topic |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2013 |
| Description | Benefits of Smart Grids in Future Low-carbon Electricity Systems, IKEM Summer Academy on Socio-Economic Opportunities and Drivers on the way to a Low-Carbon Society,Guildford, July 2011. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of Benefits of Smart Grids in Future Low-carbon Electricity Systems and discussion afterwards Higher interest in the topic |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011 |
| URL | http://ikemsummeracademy.de/history/ |
| Description | Impact of High Penetrations of Electric Vehicles on the Electricity System, Croatian Committee of CIRED - Seminar on the impact of electro-mobility on distribution grid and power system, Zagreb, November 2012. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of Impact of High Penetrations of Electric Vehicles on the Electricity System and discussion afterwards Higher interest in the topic |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2012 |
| Description | Offshore CBA presentation, DTI |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | The cost-benefit methodology for optimal transmission design that Imperial College London team developed, documented in reports of the Centre for Sustainable Electricity and Distributed Generation, demonstrated to government, wind generation developers and network operators that following the conventional on-shore design rules (where network redundancy is a key feature) in off-shore development would be inefficient and would led to significant over-investment. The cost-benefit analysis undertaken by Imperial team, clearly demonstrated that there was no case for redundancy given the high cost of offshore cables (10-20 times onshore overhead lines) which was balanced against the low load factor (40%) of offshore wind farm generation, the low security value of offshore wind and the absence of demand offshore. There are 20 offshore wind farms operational or under construction with a combined capacity of almost 4,000 MW. As documented by the Regulator Ofgem, the cost of the offshore network assets is £2.5bn and I estimate that the design with the new standard, based on the methodology developed by Imperial team, made savings of more than £500m. These benefits will significantly increase as further offshore projects are developed to meet the 2020 targets. It is presently envisaged that some 11GW of around 3 windfarms will be required, with potential further savings of £1-2Bn. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2007 |
| URL | https://www.ieawind.org/task_23/Subtask_1S_docs/PPT_London/S3_1P2_Strbac.pdf |
| Description | Participate in ETP on Smart grids - General Assembly |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Gave Keynote speech on "The need for a fundamental review of electricity networks reliability standards" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Participate in International Centre for Mathematical Science Energy Management: Flexibility, Risk and Optimisation |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | Gave Talk on "Quantifying the benefits of flexibility in future lower carbon energy system" |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| Description | Participation in SQSS Sub-group |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | In 2008 Imperial College London team, led by Prof Strbac, provided the analytical basis for the design of emerging low-carbon electricity transmission networks. In particular this methodology was used for the development of the first Offshore Network Design Standards; it supported the Fundamental Review of the Supply Quality and Security Standards and the National Grid transmission investment programme recently approved by the Regulator. The cost-benefit methodology for optimal transmission design that Imperial team developed, documented in reports of the Centre for Sustainable Electricity and Distributed Generation, demonstrated to government, wind generation developers and network operators that following the conventional on-shore design rules (where network redundancy is a key feature) in off-shore development would be inefficient and would led to significant over-investment. The cost-benefit analysis undertaken by Prof Strbac and his team, clearly demonstrated that there was no case for redundancy given the high cost of offshore cables (10-20 times onshore overhead lines) which was balanced against the low load factor (<40%) of offshore wind farm generation, the low security value of offshore wind and the absence of demand offshore. There are 20 offshore wind farms operational or under construction with a combined capacity of almost 4,000 MW. As documented by the Regulator Ofgem, the cost of the offshore network assets is £2.5bn and I estimate that the design with the new standard, based on the methodology developed by Imperial team, made savings of more than £500m. These benefits will significantly increase as further offshore projects are developed to meet the 2020 targets. It is presently envisaged that some 11GW of around 3 windfarms will be required, with potential further savings of £1-2Bn. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2008 |
| URL | https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/publications-and-updates/oteg-gb-sqss-subgroup |
| Description | Technical Meeting to Review IAEA's Methodologies and Analytical Tools for Sustainable Energy Development, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, June 2011 and June 2012. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other academic audiences (collaborators, peers etc.) |
| Results and Impact | Technical Meeting to Review IAEA's Methodologies and Analytical Tools for Sustainable Energy Development, Vienna Discussion about methodologies |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2011,2012 |
| Description | What is the budget for Smart Grid concepts and technologies? Intellect Smart Grids and Smart Metering Seminar - Latest thought leadership and research around the Smart Grid, London, November 2010. |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | Yes |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Presentation of What is the budget for Smart Grid concepts and technologies? and discussion afterwards Higher interest in the topic |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2010 |