Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA_UKPN0068 | |
| Title | FutureLink | |
| Status | Started | |
| 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 November 2020 | |
| End Date | 31 August 2024 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £478,000 | |
| 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_UKPN0068 |
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| Objectives | The FutureLink project aims to complete a design for a modern two-phase double busbar link box that can be used to replace the legacy Scott Network link boxes.Prototypes will then be tested for network use. If successful, two units will be trialed on the live network for a period of time to understand whether or not they are suitable for wider rollout. The project scope will be to design, develop, test and trial a modern two phase link box. Two units will be trialed in the Croydon area. The objective of the project is to develop a piece of plant that can be used as a modern like-for-like replacement link box for the Scott Network.Desired outcomes:- Link box for Scott Network developed and tested to understand whether it is ready for BAU rollout- Understand the likely customer savings from using a single Scott link box replacement instead of the existing solution of using two 4-way link boxes.- Understand the potential for reduced customer disruption if link box replacements can be made more quickly, reducing roadworks in the Croydon areaDevelop a design for a device to maintain the ability for the Croydon LV network to be run on DC, which is an area of increased research. | |
| Abstract | The Croydon area of UK Power Networks, until the 1930s, ran on a DC ED network. When this finally transitioned to AC to align with the rest of the UK, the low voltage network was not updated to three-phase equipment. Ever since, this has been run as a two-phase system which uses special distribution transformers, LV pillars and link boxes. It is known as the Scott Network, named after the engineer who designed it. It is believed that this type of LV distribution system is unique to the whole of the UK.Due to the increase in DC electronic equipment being connected to the distribution network, such as EVs, batteries and solar PV, there has been an increase in research around whether or not it may be suitable to transition some low voltage networks to DC. The legacy Scott link boxes are at the end of their service lives and must be replaced. To our knowledge, there are no suitable two-phase double busbar LV link boxes available on the market today. Although it is possible to use two 4-way link boxes designed to run on a three-phase network, to replace one Scott link box, this limits the ability for the network to be run on DC in the future. Additionally, the possibility of producing a double-busbar LV link box has the potential to enhance LV network operability and reliability. Such a product is also not available on the market and has to our knowledge, not been developed and tested before. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 02/11/22 | |
