go to top scroll for more

Projects


Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number NIA_SPEN_1801
Title Distributed Ledger Technology-enabled Distribution System Operation (Phase 1)
Status Completed
Energy Categories Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 10%;
Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Energy Economics) 90%;
Research Types Applied Research and Development 100%
Science and Technology Fields SOCIAL SCIENCES (Business and Management Studies) 25%;
PHYSICAL SCIENCES AND MATHEMATICS (Computer Science and Informatics) 25%;
ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering) 50%;
UKERC Cross Cutting Characterisation Not Cross-cutting 100%
Principal Investigator Project Contact
No email address given
SP Energy Networks
Award Type Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source Ofgem
Start Date 01 March 2018
End Date 01 March 2020
Duration ENA months
Total Grant Value £400,000
Industrial Sectors Power
Region Scotland
Programme Network Innovation Allowance
 
Investigators Principal Investigator Project Contact , SP Energy Networks (99.998%)
  Other Investigator Project Contact , Scottish and Southern Energy plc (0.001%)
Project Contact , SP Energy Networks (99.998%)
Project Contact , UK Power Networks (0.001%)
  Industrial Collaborator Project Contact , SP Energy Networks (0.000%)
Web Site https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_SPEN_1801
Objectives The proposed project will build upon the success of the pilot research activities funded by EPSRC HubNet (Blockchain based smart contracts for peer to peer energy trading using the GB smart metering system) and ENCORE (Feasibility of applying Blockchain and smart contracts technology to distribution grid management in the GB power system) from Cardiff University.The project aims to create, test and quantify the performance of example agreement mechanisms encoded as DLT based smart contracts for distribution system operation. The project will define rules for interactions between neighbouring system operators (DNO or DSO). Then it will co-ordinate the actions of DERs on a distribution network within the same ownership. Alongside this, a use-case using actual network data, will be developed to allow a DNO/DSO to best employ the defined smart contracts. Finally, the whole system will be implemented and demonstrated in software simulation environment, engaging with stakeholders in the supporting networks to raise the common level of understanding. The project begins with a detailed review of existing distributed ledger technology (such as blockchain) and smart contracts, with particular focus on the energy sector; and a study of their design, deployment and interfaces.It then proceeds to demonstration software and hardware implementation, in a simulation environment, enabling DNO engineering and commercial staff to gain experience and understanding of DLT applications. This stage will also clarify and demonstrate the IT requirements for each kind of DLT network node, and the security implications of DLT architecture. The over-arching objective is to investigate the viability of using DLT based smart contracts for distribution network operation, including the potential transition to a system operator role. To do this, the project aims to encode rules for agreement in to DLT based smart contracts. In doing this, the objective is to create knowledge and transfer know-how to the participating networks, and the wider industry, in the arrangement and safe deployment of, and interaction with, DLT based smart contracts. The project also aims to inform network licensees of the commercial and technical potential for DLT enabled smart contracts to be integrated into business as usual practices; and to provide a basis for evaluating commercial offerings. Finally, the project will also inform industry steering groups and governing bodies as to the potential for, as well as any practical limitations of, such technologies to lower the system-wide cost of operation through governance changes.
Abstract This project will investigate the use of Distributed Ledger Technology for smart contracts in Distribution Network Operation.
Publications (none)
Final Report (none)
Added to Database 14/12/22