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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_WPD_021
Title	Industrial & Commercial Storage
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Power and Storage Technologies(Energy storage) 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 Western Power Distribution
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 August 2016
End Date	01 April 2019
Duration	32 months
Total Grant Value	£1,144,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	South West
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Western Power Distribution (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_WPD_021
Objectives	Investigate the use of I&C storage on WPD’s network in order to: Defer Investment - Network reinforcement can be too expensive and requires a vast amount of time to respond to low carbon technology (LCT) connections into the low voltage (LV) network; Alleviate constraints on the distribution system by reducing demand peaks. Allowing transmission and distribution operators to invest, use and exploit energy storage services to strengthen flexibility, reliability and resilience of the grids; Operate storage for local energy management for triad avoidance; Maximising on-site consumption; Grid balancing and other ancillary services, in isolation or in co-operation with other regulated and non-regulated entities; Clarifying and streamlining the position of storage in different regulatory environments (behind-the-meter, third party service, grid operation);Assessing the consequences and opportunities of different regulatory options concerning smart grids and proposing a harmonised approach; Access to flexible markets: The results of all of this work will hopefully combine to open up the market for storage and for flexibility solutions within the electricity system which are a really important part of how we move to a decarbonised electricity system at least cost to the consumer. Technology of Energy Storage Systems (ESS) - A comprehensive review of technology is presented; Relationship with Supplier - A case study of how the technology can bring benefits to WPD’s networks is demonstrated and a relationship with suppliers has been established; Recruitment - Recruiting the right supplier/partner through tender; Network - Identify trial areas/sites and Customers - WPD depots engaged for trial; Market - Agree a new set of conditions that allow and incentivise DNOs to operate storage; Demonstration - Demonstrate enhanced value to the DNO and the customers from deployment of I&C Storage - such as network investment deferral, constraint alleviation and energy savings; Knowledge - Document and share all key learning that is achieved in order that results should be replicable across all UK DNOs; Operational - Train new or existing staff to manage the I&C Storage requirements; Systems - Identify, develop and demonstrate new policies, processes and systems that are required in order for WPD to operate I&C Storage (monitor, control, meter and settle), development of business processes (polices, standard techniques etc. );Commercial - Connection Agreements agreed.
Abstract	With the growth in all types of low carbon generation, such as wind and solar PV, and the introduction of new demand technologies such as EVs and HPs, WPD’s electricity network is expected to see unprecedented swings between peaks and troughs of energy usage in localised areas. Part of WPD’s approach to this challenge has been to look at new and more flexible ways to design, optimise and manage the network in the future. In the past, network operators have used conventional reinforcement to deal with constraints. Network reinforcement can be too expensive and time consuming to respond to LCT connections into the LV network. Due to uncertainties in volume, location and type of LV connections, it is not always possible or efficient for WPD to plan network reinforcement ahead of need. However, when the need does arise, network reinforcement is too costly and can take too long to deploy, delaying customers’ connections to the network. Storage is an opportunity to help and not to hinder. Through this project it may become possible to develop Alternative Connections for Storage that would operate in a grid friendly way thereby giving customers more connection options. Storage connections will require technical policies to be drafted. The deployment of Storage devices will provide incentives to I&C Customers through overall reduction in power consumption. Customers would receive offsetting reductions in retail electricity costs from storage in the form of deferred investments, refunds from the wholesale market auction proceeds, and reduced power purchase costs, triad avoidance and lower future DUoS charges due to the reduced reinforcement requirements. Customers would additionally benefit through increased system reliability from avoided distribution outages. Other customer benefits include improved power quality and customer-side renewable energy usage. Through the tendering process, a suitable storage partner for the project will be identified. The project will be delivered in seven overlapping stages defined in three work packages: Selection of the areas for the trial; Identification of the type and size of the storage devices; Mobilisation (procurement of equipment and services);Trials or field tests (install equipment);Connection Agreements Policy on depot equipment; Analysis and Close Down (Analyse results, evaluate I&C Storage solution)Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	21/08/18