Transformation of the Top and Tail of Energy Networks

There are two very particular places in energy networks where existing network technology and infrastructure needs radical change to move us to a low carbon economy. At the Top of network, i.e. the very highest transmission voltages, the expected emergence of transcontinental energy exchange in Europe (and elsewhere) that is driven by exploitation of diversity in renewable sources and diversity in load requires radical innovation in technologies. Many of these proposed interconnectors will be submarine or underground cable and High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) must be used. Power ratings for the voltage source AC/DC converters for HVDC use are presently around 500 MW while the need is for links of up to 20 GW. A change of this magnitude requires radical innovation in technology. To focus our research in HVDC cable technology and power converters we have defined target ratings of 1 MV and 5 kA. The Tail of the network is the so-called last mile and behind the meter wiring into customer premises. More than half the capital cost of an electricity system is sunk in the last mile and cost and disruption barriers have made it resistant to change. Not only have recent changes in consumer electronics yet to impact network design, there are radical changes in future heat and transport services that need to be met. The challenge is to reengineer the way in which the last mile assets are used without changing the most expensive part: the cables and pipes in the ground. To get this right means starting with a fresh look at the energy services required and seeing what flexibility there is to meet the service expectation differently. A consortium of universities has been brought together to address this transformation of our energy networks. Several of the bid partners have had leading roles in Supergen consortia in the networks area but this consortium includes new partners whose expertise, especially in the power electronics field, is strongly indicated as game-changing. For the first time, the power electronics researchers in Warwick, Nottingham, Imperial and Strathclyde and the insulation materials groups in Manchester and Southampton are proposing to work together bringing developments of underpinning technologies to bear on network issues. These technology developments are folded into the energy network planning and operations work of Strathclyde, Manchester, Cardiff and Imperial. Birmingham brings energy economics expertise and Imperial expertise in energy policy and the social science of consumer acceptance. Several important industrial companies are engaged with this programme to form our scientific advisory board and to pick up and use results that emerge. These in clued network operators such as National Grid and Central Networks, equipment manufacturers such as Alstom Grid and Converteam and component manufacturers such as Dynnex and Dow Chemicals.Although the proposed project will address major challenges of technology, we recognise that transforming our energy networks is not merely a technical question. Members of the consortium already have links with civil servants and advisors in a number of administrations in the UK including DECC, the Scottish Government, WAG and NIE. These links allow us to understand the context in which energy policy is made. Consortium members have given advice to Ofgem on the Low Carbon Networks Fund, Parliamentary Select Committees and have been active in projects commissioned through the Energy Technologies Institute. Thus although the focus of your project is on a timescale of 20-40 years the results of our research will impact network development much earlier. Discussions to date with our partners in these organisations suggest a great deal of excitement about what work on the Energy Networks Grand Challenge can contribute.

The programme of work is intended to provide breakthrough advances in key enabling technologies within the context of 2050 low carbon infrastructure requirements. There are two economic prizes at stake. A European SuperGrid is key to exploiting the renewable resources of the continent as a whole more efficiently than if seen as collections of national systems. The UK's position in this is strong as it could become a net exporter of electrical energy because of favourable wind and marine resources. The second gain is achieving electrification of private vehicles and building heating without an extremely expensive wholesale asset replacement of the last mile of network. Our engagement with network and system operators such as National Grid, Scottish Power and Central Networks over many years and in preparing this proposal means that we are confident of tackling real barriers to the development of low carbon networks. In several of these specialist technology areas the UK is also well placed to design, manufacture and supply. Semiconductor devices, packaging technology and power converters resulting from this project will contribute to improved infrastructure efficiency and flexibility. Direct beneficiaries include power electronic system manufacturers such as Alstom, drives manufacturers and device manufacturers such as Dynex. Such examples, together with the consortium's strong track record with TSB projects and KTPs, will ensure results are fully exploited. Research in innovative cables for large scale HVDC transmission will be disseminated to materials suppliers with a view to feeding development of new products for UK and European networks. Funding vehicles such as TSB Technology Programme will be used to support this. The team are experienced in this: Swingler is now applying results from AMPerES concerning the influence of polymer microstructure to develop routes to commercial exploitation with a polymer supplier and TSB. Opportunities will also be sought with partners to develop new services and monitoring products based on the optimisation of legacy cable utilisation. A critical societal objective for infrastructure investment will be minimising disruption caused by, eg, street works that might otherwise be the consequence of rapid growth of urban PV and electric vehicles. The research on legacy cable infrastructure brings significant value by minimising interference with urban life while at the same time continuing to maintain service. The cooperation of the strongest UK academic teams in power systems and power electronicss, all with excellent experimental facilities, will for the first time provide an exceptional basis for enhanced UK participation in EU FP7 and FP8 programmes. The project steering group will give focus to attracting EU gearing to the consortium. Together with the Network Hub this will stimulate UK academia and industry to attract more value from international activity. Our PhD programme will deliver the new skill sets required of future leaders. The research team will benefit from cross-training, and the skill set of these fifteen PhDs and ten RAs will be particularly valuable to the UK as infrastructure investments accelerate through the critical 2015-25 period. Furthermore, we intend to draw together wider infrastructure cooperation by working with and contributing to the anticipated Power Networks Hub and by reaching out to the nanomaterials and energy storage communities. The prospects for success will be enhanced through the team's established industrial engagement, academic partnership of materials, devices, plant and systems specialism and close association with ETI, IFI, & LCNF demonstration. Opportunities for exploitation will be pursued through licensing, spin-outs etc. The opportunities for further development of technology will be enhanced by the senior academics providing strateic input into EPSRC, TSB, etc whereby follow-on funds can be identifified in a timely fashion.