SUPERGEN 1 Renewal Core - FlexNet: Renewal of the Supergen consortium on Future Network Technologies
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Strathclyde
Department Name: Electronic and Electrical Engineering
Abstract
FlexNet has been set the goal of researching the future form of the electricity network. This is a great challenge because electricity networks are formed from long lifetime equipment that will often be in place for more than 50 years and which costs a great deal to replace. Much of the UK network was constructed in the 1960s and 1970s and falls due for replacement soon. This is both an opportunity and a threat. The plans for replacement must stand the test of time or future generations will face a large bill for making changes. We are at a point where the future of electricity generation is uncertain. We know that low-carbon energy is the objective but the network required to support offshore wind is very different from the network to support domestic-scale fuel cells. The key will be to plan, design and build networks that are sufficiently flexible to meet several quite different scenarios. There are limits to the flexibility though. First, flexibility generally requires more investment for which electricity consumers ultimately pay. Second, electrical networks are major projects that impact local communities and those communities' have important views on what technology is acceptable. Third, flexibility calls for a far greater level of real-time control of the network which poses challenges in analysis and implementation. FlexNet will research the technologies to provide flexibility, the market mechanisms through which investment is encouraged efficiently and the way in which public attitudes might shape what can be done. FlexNet is a consortium of universities, electrical network operators, equipment manufacturers and NGOs. The seven universities combine expertise in electrical engineering, economics and social science. The consortium builds on the work of its predecessor, FutureNet.
Organisations
- University of Strathclyde (Lead Research Organisation)
- UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH (Collaboration)
- University of Manchester (Collaboration)
- University of Bath (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM (Collaboration)
- IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON (Collaboration)
- UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE (Collaboration)
- Rolls-Royce (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- National Grid (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- EDF Energy (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
- Scottish Power (United Kingdom) (Project Partner)
Publications
Guo S
(2014)
Adaptive Parameter Estimation of Power System Dynamic Model Using Modal Information
in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems
Abdulhadi I
(2011)
Adaptive protection architecture for the smart grid
Rogers D
(2013)
An Active-Shunt Diverter for On-load Tap Changers
in IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery
Bloemink J
(2013)
Benefits of Distribution-Level Power Electronics for Supporting Distributed Generation Growth
in IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery
Radtke J
(2011)
Capacity Value of Large Tidal Barrages
in IEEE Transactions on Power Systems
Harrison G
(2015)
Capacity value of offshore wind in Great Britain
in Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part O: Journal of Risk and Reliability
Rees M
(2014)
Carbon constrained design of energy infrastructure for new build schemes
in Applied Energy
Description | Alstom |
Amount | £150,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Alstom |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start | 08/2009 |
End | 12/2011 |
Description | Alstom |
Amount | £150,000 (GBP) |
Organisation | Alstom |
Sector | Private |
Country | France |
Start | 08/2009 |
End | 12/2011 |
Description | Joint research with Imperial College London |
Organisation | Imperial College London |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | University of Strathclyde researchers worked on this project with researchers from Imperial College London |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | Joint research with University of Bath |
Organisation | University of Bath |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | University of Strathclyde researchers worked on this project with researchers from University of Bath |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | Joint research with University of Birmingham |
Organisation | University of Birmingham |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | University of Strathclyde researchers worked on this project with researchers from University of Birmingham |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | Joint research with University of Cambridge |
Organisation | University of Cambridge |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | University of Strathclyde researchers worked on this project with researchers from University of Cambridge |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | Joint research with University of Edinburgh |
Organisation | University of Edinburgh |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | University of Strathclyde researchers worked on this project with researchers from University of Edinburgh |
Start Year | 2007 |
Description | Joint research with University of Manchester |
Organisation | University of Manchester |
Country | United Kingdom |
Sector | Academic/University |
PI Contribution | University of Strathclyde researchers worked on this project with researchers from University of Manchester |
Start Year | 2007 |