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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_UKPN0084
Title	Power Protect
Status	Started
Energy Categories	Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Demographics) 20%; Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 80%;
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 60%; Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour) 40%;
Principal Investigator	Project Contact No email address given UK Power Networks
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 October 2022
End Date	31 May 2024
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£246,250
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%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_UKPN0084
Objectives	"Power Protect will proactively identify and offer support to those customers that are reliant on medically dependant equipment in unplanned and planned power outages. The number of customers off supply and their Estimated time for Restoration (ETR) will be analysed by a custom designed forecasting tool which will proactively offer the option of a portable battery power supply to be dispatched to impacted customers premises.This solution will incorporate inputs from existing outage management tools and will include a battery performance tracking system designed against individual customer requirements.The developed method will also ensure that, whilst temporary power is supplied to customers via the batteries, affected customers will still be processed as “off supply” and prioritised accordingly.Customer research will be conducted to ensure a solid understanding of customer requirements and expectations and will trial the units in controlled scenarios to identify the real benefits of the solution. The trial will include up to three different battery solutions from different providers. Data & Measurement Quality StatementData relating to customer surveys, interviews and the trial will be kept securely and in accordance with data protection requirements. Anonymised data, aggregated where appropriate, will be included in project reports for wider distribution. UK Power Networks will ensure the following terms are agreed in working with any project partners to protect data quality and security:Where data is held remotely, it shall be made readily accessible to UK Power NetworksProject partners shall maintain back-up copies of data and undertake reasonable measures to protect it from corruption, external interference and unauthorised use.UK Power Networks will have the right to arrange for independent data audits throughout a project if deemed necessary." "Scope The scope of the project is to deliver and trial an optimised battery dispatching framework to support our medically dependent customers during extended outages. This project does not aim to replace existing storm response processes, but rather provide additional support to those most vulnerable customers as an interim support measure. The project will be delivered in work packages focused on the different elements which from the solution. Work Packages: 1. Customer research and engagementCustomer research will be carried out to cover a range of questions around customers expectations and needs from the solution. Multiple research options will utilised ranging from surveys to users testing and interviews. 2. Solution definitionSolution requirements will be validated with project partners and suppliers (battery providers, field engineers, etc.) including logistics for battery storage, charging, transportation and recovery post outage. Additional support devices such as standalone lighting, electric blankets, travel kettles may also make up part of the trial solution in line with customer research findings.3. System and software development Utilisation and alignment analysis of existing software and platforms will be completed to identify new user requirements which will lead to the development of the required asset forecasting and tracking system. The optimal approach to utilising existing or new communications platforms to contact and manage customers will also be explored. 4. Trial OperationsNew operational process and customer journeys will be developed in collaboration with project partners, suppliers and key UK Power Networks internal stakeholders. Battery units and the novel forecasting and dispatching software will be trialled in a controlled environment to identify the benefits of the solution and the more appropriate BAU roll our strategy. " "The objectives of the project are to:1. Identify medically dependent on electrical equipment customers on the PSR that are at risk of health issues being off supply for a sustained period of time in an unplanned power outage scenario 2. Identify a suitable customer support offer for portable power support 3. Trial a battery bank forecasting and dispatching tool for time off supply4. Identify and record the benefits for the usage of battery banks for vulnerable customers "
Abstract	Power Protect aims to support most vulnerable customers by providing a portable power supply in planned and unplanned outage scenarios where these customers are off supply for an extended period of time. The project will develop and trial a proactive identification of vulnerable customers tool, an automated support offering system as well as a batteries dispatching tool and forecasting process in order to increase our customer safety, reduce operational cost during power outage restoration and ultimately deliver benefits to our customers.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	18/10/23