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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NPG_018
Title	Microresilience
Status	Completed
Energy Categories	Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution) 70%; Other Power and Storage Technologies(Energy storage) 30%;
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 Northern Powergrid
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 September 2017
End Date	01 September 2020
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£1,700,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	Yorkshire & Humberside
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , Northern Powergrid (100.000%)
	Industrial Collaborator	Project Contact , Northern Powergrid (0.000%)
Web Site	https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA_NPG_018
Objectives	The Microresilience project will examine the potential for new technology options, in combination, operating as micro-grids to provide gains in real resilience for customers. It is intended to conduct field trials of three potential circumstances where technology combinations operating as part of a micro-grid might applied and one storage-based, simpler alternative to provide contrast and understanding of where part and full micro-grids might be applicable and where simpler solutions might be preferable.*Critical customers on a vulnerable connectionThis group of customers provides critical functions for the region and beyond, but due to the nature of their function is located in a place where the supply is at unusually high risk from natural forces. There is no cost-effective conventional network solution for improving their situation due to the physical location*Remote customers on a vulnerable connectionThis group of customers are fed on an unusually long generally overhead circuit. As such they suffer significant outage risk but due to the small size of the customer group there is no cost-effective conventional network solution for improving this risk*Opportune micro-grid applicationThis customer group already has significant generation capacity and, and in a areas of significant outage risk, would benefit from being able to use that generation to maintain their demand and generation after suffering a loss of the network feeding them.*Simple storage optionThis customer group provide an vital emergency service often in poor weather conditions. They have the ability to function without an electrical supply, but it severely reduces the speed of their operation. We believe that a storage based alternative would significantly improve their response capability in the event of a loss of supply, but that they do not require the full synchronisation capability required to avoid all outages.In all but the last option we are considering groups of customers not a single customer and for this reason a DNO micro-grid solution is appropriate and proposed.The project intends to re-use relatively small-scale storage technologies and equipment previously deployed as part of the Customer Led Network Revolution (CLNR) project. Confirmation and design work is still required at each of the selected locations. The system components will be selected from the following options:Battery storageRecharge terminalsIsolation and re-synchronisation switchgearSynchronisation control systemsProtection suitable for both normal and island mode operationLoss of mains protection (to initiate island mode)Potentially balancing and DSR equipment (including customer-owned DER)The project intends to re-use relatively small-scale storage technologies and equipment previously deployed as part of the Customer Led Network Revolution (CLNR) project.Virtual Private Wire, or similar, capability is not required at present however if the project progresses successfully this is potentially the next logical step and prpeparatory work to address this may be included in this project. Synthetic synchronisation is not required at present however if the project progresses successfully these sites will become the test beds for that technology. Again cost-effective preparatory work may be undertaken.The systems will require the ability to disconnect from the rest of the network while supporting the chosen demand by battery. Facilities to recharge the battery online with a mobile generator are envisaged and we will include terminals for that connection. The project will assess the technical viability and comparative economics (including non-financial benefits) of smart technology enabled resilience under the following circumstances: Critical customers on vulnerable connection Remote customers on vulnerable connection Opportune micro-grid application (using already present DG) Simple storage option The project intends to provide guidance for the appropriateness of the various solutions tested and their technical benefits and disadvantages. The level of resilience improvement will be assessed alongside the level desired by the customers. Critical customers on a vulnerable connection may have different requirements to a microgrid implementation with a significant degree of embedded generation.
Abstract	Significant advances have been made in restoration of supplies by smart methods over recent years, in particular very short term restoration which is considered to be an increase in resilience. Conversely smart techniques have contributed less to increases in true resilience; situations when customers never experience an outage of any length in the first place. In the near future however improvements and cost reductions in battery technology, the prevalence of distributed generation particularly at lower voltages, and improvements in measurement and communications will offer smart opportunities to improve resilience. This would seem to be a potential low-cost route to improved true resilience but which mix of technology options, operational approaches would suit particular circumstances and locations is not known and the residual risk and actual deliverable benefit is not understood.
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	02/11/22