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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_WPD_068
Title	Solving Intelligent LV – Evaluating Responsive Smart Management to Increase Total Headroom (SILVERSMITH)
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Energy system analysis) 50%; Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 50%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Systems Analysis related to energy R&D (Other Systems Analysis) 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given Western Power Distribution (WPD) - South West
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 June 2022
End Date	31 March 2023
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£406,770
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	South West
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Western Power Distribution (WPD) - South West (99.997%)
	Other Investigator	Project Contact , Western Power Distribution (WPD) - East Midlands (0.001%) Project Contact , Western Power Distribution (WPD) - South Wales (0.001%) Project Contact , Western Power Distribution (WPD) - West Midlands (0.001%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Western Power Distribution (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_WPD_068
Objectives	Phase 1: Network evaluation, and technology literature study To consider a range of approaches, SILVERSMITH will feature analysis using two methods, delivered by separate consultants. Firstly, EA Technology ltds (EATL) Net Zero team will perform strategic investment analysis using Transform. This is an Excel based network model that uses 19 LV network archetypes to create representative models of each license area. The tool has been endorsed by Ofgem, and used by all UK DNOs for investment planning due to connected LCTs in ED1. Secondly, EATLs Power System Studies team are performing a power flow assessment. EATLs Power System Studies team will be completing the analysis to the same scope, but completing a power flow analysis of three representative networks (urban, dense urban, rural) using ConnectLV and DIgSILENT. The later can evaluate power flow phenomena such as harmonics and power factor correction.This analysis will determine the scale of the issues that are developing on the LV network. These include transformer overloading, cable overloading, and non-compliant voltages. Crucially, we want to understand to what extent these issues coincide. Does a transformer overload typically coincide with a cable overload? In addition, what proportion of feeder cables experience a simultaneous voltage drop, and rise outside statutory limits? And most significantly, what proportion of substations experience all issues. Under different combinations of these issues, novel LV voltage control technologies may outperform conventional means, both at a functional level and price point. Using this network analysis, we want an opportunity statement that specifies if a device can offer X specific functionalities, at a set price point of Y or less, it will outperform conventional means as discussed before. All proposed technologies will be compared against the current reinforcement method of dealing with compliance issues.The second half of this phase is the creation of a literature review by EATLs Net Zero team that documents all available LV voltage control technologies. It should introduce each type of device, explain how each technology operates, what functionality it offers, TRL, estimated price point and where it has been trialled. Either as part of an NIA project or academic setting. In addition, the report must explain the differences between low voltage management compared to other higher voltages. EATL are responsible for delivery, after a Request for Information has been published by WPD. We will issue an open enquiry into the available technology, in which suppliers can share more information that would otherwise be out of the public domain. With the knowledge that they will gain access to the functional requirements which are produced in this work. The outputs of this work package are the following deliverables:1: Network study results (June – September 2022)2: Literature review of existing technologies (June – August 2022)Phase 2: Functional requirements & methodology developmentProviding phase one is successful, functional requirements will be matched to existing technologies and offered to the suppliers we engage with at the RFI. From this, we seek to document our recommendation and devise a methodology to identify where LV control technologies can benefit a DNO. Again, EATLs Net Zero team and EATLs Power System Studies team will complete this phase in parallel with a split between depth provided by EATLs Power System Studies teams power flow study, and breadth provided by EATLs Net Zero teams Transform study.The outputs of this work package are the following deliverables:1: Functional requirements (September – November 2022)2: LV voltage control selection methodology (October – December 2022)Extended technology investigation & final recommendations (completed throughout both phases)This phase follows the new technologies that are being developed by new and existing suppliers to address LV voltage control throughout the entirety of the project. The technologies that are most likely to meet the functional requirements will be evaluated. Through supplier engagement, we aim to identify the extent to which they meet the functional requirements. In return for assisting with our project, we propose to provide suppliers with the results from our investigation that can help them direct their products development in line with our requirements.The output of this work package is the following deliverable:1: Technology investigation report (June – December 2022) Project closeAfter the analysis in phases 1 & 2, two approaches for network evaluation and design methodology will have been produced. Each will have prioritised varying aspects of the analysis, and as a result some variation between the design methodologies produced is expected. In addition, the specific functional requirements may indeed differ resulting in different technologies being recommended for further use. To conclude the project, WPD will evaluate the overall approach of each consultant has taken and make recommendations for further work. In addition, the usual project closedown report will be produced by WPD.1 (WPD) Methodology Comparison (December 2022 – February 2023)2 (WPD) Closedown report (December 2022 – March 2023) Whilst DNOs have been trialling different LV voltage control technologies, there has not been a comparison of the relative strengths and weaknesses of each method. Nor has there been an application-based study to develop a methodology that identifies under what network conditions these new devices actually offer a benefit over conventional approaches. This project aims to do exactly that. To consider all approaches, we have decided run the analysis using two methods delivered by separate consultants. Firstly through a strategic investment methodology led by EA Technology ltd. and secondly a power flow assessment methodology led by EATLs Power System Studies team. The project features two phases of research, accompanied by a period of technology investigation and supplier engagement. Phase 1 analyses the LV network with LCT connections added up to 2050 and evaluates the counterfactual method for dealing with compliance and constraint issues that arise. EA Technology ltd. (EATL) will complete all analysis in parallel with EATLs Power System Studies team to determine which method is best suited to this kind of analysis. EATLs Net Zero team will be completing the network study using the Transform tool, which is an Excel based network model endorsed by Ofgem that been used by all DNOs for strategic investment planning in ED1. EATLs Power System Studies team will be completing the analysis to the same scope, but completing a power flow analysis of three representative networks (urban, dense urban, rural) using ConnectLV and DIgSILENT. The later can evaluate power flow phenomena such as harmonics and power factor correction. To learn more about LV voltage control and the technologiesentering the market, EATL will produce a detailed technology literature review. This will capture all relevant information required to complete the analysis in Phase 2, and explain how each technology works. Phase 2 utilises the information gathered in Phase 1 to make strategic decisions. Firstly, by pairing the future network requirements highlighted in the network study with the technologies assessed in the literature review to understand technologies functional requirements. Then, a general methodology and design toolbox for selecting which LV voltage control technologies best address certain future network issues. Finally, the extended technology investigation phase delivered by EATL, that follows the literature study, seeks to shadow the development of the most promising technologies and make a final recommendation of their applicability in a DNO. To conclude the project, WPD would evaluate the methodologies used by each consultant to ascertain which offers a more comprehensive assessment of future network requirements and the creation of design methodologies. Followed by the standard NIA closedown report. Understand the issues which are likely to be present on the Low Voltage (LV) network up to 2050. Business As Usual (BAU) activity does not investigate the LV network at this granularity. Document the current state-of-the-art LV voltage control options and evaluate which are likely to meet the functional requirements created in this work.Develop two design methodologies for selecting whether LV voltage control technologies can offer a benefit over conventional reinforcement strategies.Develop an understanding of which network assessment methodology is most suited for modelling issues and forecasting required investment on the LV network.
Abstract	SILVERSMITH will investigate compliance issues that are expected to grow on our Low Voltage network as Low Carbon Technologies (LCT) and Distributed Generation (DG) connections increase. Phase 1 will conduct two network studies, the first using the Transform tool, the second using PowerFactory DIgSILENT. We will assess the demographic of future issues and produce an opportunity statement for devices to resolve them after evaluating novel technologies. Phase 2 then re-assess the network model using these technologies and produce a list of functional requirements and design methodology to selecting the best technology would be under different network conditions. To conclude, a comparison between each approach will be made to investigate what method of network analysis leads to the best investment decision making.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	14/10/22