Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_UKPN0049 | |
| Title | Phase Switch System | |
| 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 UK Power Networks |
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| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 June 2019 | |
| End Date | 01 March 2023 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £155,700 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Power | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , UK Power Networks (100.000%) |
| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , UK Power Networks (0.000%) |
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| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_UKPN0049 |
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| Objectives | During the Catapult Energy Systems funded Smart Urban Networks project, Low Carbon Electric developed a Phase Switch System (PSS) which unlocks current and voltage headroom by switching phases between adjacent distributor segments in real time. This addresses load unbalance caused by rapid/uneven uptake of LCTs. The PSS has been demonstrated at the Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) and has reached the physical LV network demonstration phase. The project will identify transformers and/ or LV feeders where the PSS could be used to release capacity by correcting the unbalance.Following the October 2020 update a time extension has been requested due to the PNDC test facilities and suppliers factories being closed affected by COVID-19. The project is running approximately 8 months late. As a contingency an additional 4 months have been requested as additional closures could happen especially as the suppliers are based in the Greater Manchester area.An additional 96,700 is required to cover the costs of redesigns caused by moving the printed circuit board manufacture from China to the UK due to COVID-19 as well as associated support for prolongation costs. The project will select approximately sixteen locations where a PSS could deliver deferment of asset replacement. About seven PSS will be installed on LV networks and complementary network monitoring will be installed at distribution substations. The project will demonstrate the amount of capacity released when a PSS is deployed as an alternative to network reinforcement. The project will develop a range of solutions that should be considered to defer network reinforcement which includes cross-jointing, installing link boxes and PSS. The project will: demonstrate that the PSS can become a solution to reduce unbalance between phases and monitor its impact on the LV feeder or distribution transformer. demonstrate that the benefits delivered by the PSS of releasing capacity and estimating its longevity are realistic. assess the impact of moving demand from one phase to another. develop a methodology that will indicate how long the benefits are likely to deliver benefits based on the Future Energy Scenarios demand growth. validate the CBA showing the benefits of this alternative solution. | |
| Abstract | National Grids Future Energy Scenarios show that irrespective the scenario, demand is going to increase by 25% between now and 2038; it is expected that most of the new demand will be connected to low voltage distribution networks. This in turn is likely to cause a larger phase imbalance than currently observed. Domestic load is normally connected to one phase. Once one phase of a transformer or underground cable reaches its maximum rating then LV network reinforcement needs to be considered. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 14/12/22 | |
