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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA2_NGESO047
Title	Distributed ReStart – Redhouse Live Trial
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 100%;
Research Types	Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields	ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 100%
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation	Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given National Grid plc
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 February 2023
End Date	31 December 2023
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£500,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid plc (100.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_NGESO047
Objectives	"The method trialled in this NIC project was electricity system restoration from DERs. The project focussed on DERs in the tens of MW range connected at 33 kV. Some larger generators connected at 132 kV already provide restoration services, while smaller DERs would need to be harnessed and coordinated in much greater numbers to have the required impact. It was determined that typical network topologies at 33 kV would allow the establishment of power islands under a 132/33 kV Grid Supply Point (GSP), or Bulk Supply Point (BSP). However, the methods can be adapted and applied to different networks. To demonstrate this, the project was organised into Workstreams to address each area of risk (technical, commercial, regulatory, and organisational), with each Workstream tasked by Ofgem including three key deliverables as follows:Organisation, Systems & Telecoms (OST): The OST workstreams objective was to develop the process design, communications and systems required to coordinate all parties involved in an electricity restoration service – also known as black start. The workstream also sought to highlight changes that would be needed across DERs, DNOs, TOs and the NGESO. Power Engineering & Trials (PET): The PET workstreams objective was to establish the technical requirements for an electricity system restoration service – also known as black start. It did this through:   Detailed analysis of case studies Multiple stages of review and testing Demonstrating the services concept in live trials on SPEN networks. The PET workstream engaged with DNOs and TOs, as well as other industry stakeholders. It also engaged with DER developers and specialised consultants, including universities and national electrical testing centres. The workstream drew on learnings from power system analysis of several distribution restoration zone (DRZ) case study networks. Additionally, it worked with a number of suppliers to develop an automation scheme, called a DRZ controller. Procurement & Compliance (P&C): The P&C workstreams objective was to determine how to deliver the electricity system restoration service concept in a way that best served the needs of end-consumers. It did this by: Exploring the options and trade-offs between competitive procurement solutions and mandated elements Making recommendations on the procurement strategy – aiming to be as open and transparent as possible, while reflecting wider industry discussions on related topics like the distribution system operator (DSO) transition and whole system planning Considering necessary changes in codes and regulations In addition, another key deliverable set by Ofgem was the timely dissemination of all the new knowledge (IPR) generated from the project. This was managed via the Knowledge & Dissemination Workstream (K&D), which has the following deliverables agreed: Quarterly Stakeholder Advisory Panel meetingsIndustry engagement at the Energy Innovation Summit (EIS)Creation of live trial reportsCreation of BAU procurement contractsEmail campaigns to our registered database which has grown to over 840 industry partiesProject webinars During the Covid-19 pandemic, the workstream continued to engage with stakeholders by moving its communications channels online and creating podcasts via engagement with industry experts, who were able to interview all project members remotely. In line with the ENAs ENIP document, the risk rating for the Redhouse Live Trial extension is scored Low: TRL Steps = 1 (1 TRL steps Redhouse Live Trial extension TRL 7 – 8)Cost = 2 (£500k - £1m)Suppliers = 1 (2 suppliers)Data Assumptions = 1Total = 5 (Low) " "Several types of DERs were considered in the Distributed ReStart NIC project, to demonstrate that the solution is applicable across technology types and across all of GB. The project focussed on DERs that have reached at least a TRL 4 in the context of providing Restoration services (thermal power stations, small hydro stations, wind farms and small gas or diesel stations) whilst remaining open to considering other technologies. The case studies identified have a mixture of synchronous and non-synchronous generation types, from both dispatchable and intermittent resources, this will provide an opportunity to explore technology options. This project is designed to deliver tested and proven concepts and frameworks that can be directly implemented into BAU, assuming the concept is technically and economically viable. It will enable a restoration from any DER technology once certain TRL levels are attained. This follow-on NIA project will support an additional live trial at Redhouse GSP will demonstrate the use of a battery energy storage system (BESS) with grid-forming technology to restart the network and use of a prototype Distribution Restoration Zone Controller (DRZC) to stabilise and maintain the power island within voltage and frequency limits. " "Following the completion of the second live trial at Chapelcross in July 2022, the project has successfully met all 10 of its original and agreed objectives. These were agreed with Ofgem at the start of the project, and were designated as deliverables in the Project Direction: Organisation, Systems & Telecoms (OST): Defined the communications requirements for this process including automation via a new DRZC (Deliverable 1).Confirmed the new organisational design, roles, and responsibilities (Deliverable 2).Demonstrated how the restoration process and joint action would work in practice between the Electricity System Operator (ESO), Transmission Owners (TOs), Distribution Network Operators (DNOs), and Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) via desk-top exercises (Deliverable 3).Power Engineering & Trials (PET): Defined the technical capabilities required to enable a feasible Distribution Restoration Zone (DRZ) (Deliverables 4 and 5).The Live Trials at Galloway and Chapelcross demonstrated the use of different technology types to prove successful energisation (Deliverable 6).In partnership with the Organisational, Systems and Telecoms (OST) workstream, we defined, developed and factory-tested a prototype Distribution Restoration Zone Controller (DRZC). Procurement & Compliance (P&C): Defined the approach and process to procure services from DER providers (Deliverable 7).This was demonstrated via our procurement test event (Deliverable 8)Facilitated distribution restoration through ongoing industry code changes (Deliverable 9).Ofgem Deliverable 10 is designated as the Project Closedown report, which is in the process of final development ahead of the formal closedown of the project in October 2023. In addition, the project has progressed further than the original project plan with the inclusion of the build and test of a Distribution Restoration Zone Controller (DRZC) prototype that allows for automation (with control room engineer direction) of the creation and stabilisation of a local power island. We have also requested a further extension to the project to 31 October 2023 (with a proportionate addition to our funding via this NIA request) to deliver a third live trial at the RedhouseGSP. This will involve use of a battery energy storage system (BESS) with grid-forming technology to restart the network and use of the prototype DRZC to stabilise and maintain the power island within voltage and frequency limits. The project plan now includes two new trial aims, split across three distinct phases over a two-week test period from 29th May – 9th June 2023: Phase 1 Deliver Phase 1 proving grid forming capability of Distributed Battery Energy Storage System (On 3rd party network only). Phase 2 Deliver Phase 2 proving grid forming capability of BESS and ability energise both 33kV and 132kV transformers / network. Additional Goals (Phase 3): Include Middle Balbeggie Solar farm within tests to demonstrate ability of multiple DER to contribute to islanded grid.Implement DRZC control of island to demonstrate ability to simply respond to disturbances or have complete control of island. "
Abstract	"The Distributed Restart NIC project is exploring how Distributed Energy Resources (DERs) can be used to restore power in the event of a total or partial shutdown of the GB Electricity Network. Current approaches rely on large power stations and interconnectors but, as the UK moves to cleaner and more decentralised energy, new options must be developed, leading to reductions in both cost and carbon emissions. Two live trails have been completed at Galloway and Chapelcross Grid Supply Points (GPSs). This follow-on NIA project will support an additional live trial at Redhouse GSP to demonstrate the use of a battery energy storage system (BESS) with grid-forming technology to restart the network and use of a prototype Distribution Restoration Zone Controller (DRZC) to stabilise and maintain the power island within voltage and frequency limits. "
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	18/10/23