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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NPG_032
Title	Boston Spa Energy Efficiency Trial
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 Northern Powergrid
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 June 2019
End Date	01 June 2021
Duration	ENA months
Total Grant Value	£500,000
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_032
Objectives	The project proposes to explore the use of existing 33/11kV voltage control systems alongside the opportunities offered by smart-metering to exploit low voltage reduction for electricity cost saving.If successful this would provide an economically efficient method of implementing voltage reduction providing the maximum benefit to the customers with minimum network intervention and consequent inflation of the regulated asset base.The project would run in three phases, with stage-gates between the phases to ensure that the project only continues while it is providing value.The three phases are: Phase 1 Effects of Voltage Variation on Demand in a Real-World Community Phase 2 Using distributed voltage monitoring as an input to dynamic voltage control to optimise efficiency and service Phase 3 Explore potential DSO offeringsIn the first phase control and test networks will be defined and data collected from key locations in the trial area to establish baseline voltage and load profiles. The test network will then be modelled and the effects of various voltage reductions (implemented by reductions in the set point or target voltage on the voltage control equipment at the primary substation) on the profiles predicted. The modelled voltage reductions will then be tested iteratively on the real system, checking actual resultant profiles at each stage before choosing whether to progress to a further voltage reduction. From this, methods of modelling and establishing optimal voltage set points will be developed, an optimal setting ensuring that voltages remain within statutory limits for reasonable conditions and non-productive demand is minimised. There is potential that it will not be possible to establish a generic method of establishing modelled optimal voltage set points or that it will be concluded that a .Assuming a methodology for establishing optimal voltage set points can be established in phase one, phase two will use this learning to attempt to develop a method of using voltage data from key locations on the network to produce a dynamically controlled voltage set point that produces a lower level of non-productive demand while maintaining statutory voltages. This will involve developing communications from the monitored key locations to the primary substation and processing this in real time to alter the voltage set point dynamically. There is the possibility that this may be practical even if a generic method of establishing modelled static optimal voltage set points is not. However it may prove that the costs or practicalities of establishing such dynamic voltage targets are unrealistic.The third phase of the project will consider whether a dynamic set point technique could be used as a DSO flexibility offering. It will involve a literature review and an analysis of the transferable learning, but stop short of a physical trial. The output of this phase will may inform further project proposals.This activity is being undertaken with the support of the Boston Spa community in general and the parish council in particular who have approached us with a view to improving their energy use and efficiency. Boston Spa is a small town with a population of around 4000 close to Wetherby in West Yorkshire. It is representative of many similar small rural towns. This project will consider information from the EHV, HV and LV networks, smart meters and other network monitoring. The project seeks to create a non-network solution to creating capacitywhile simultaneously reducing customer bills. To test progressive voltage reductions as a method of minimising long term energy demand while staying within statutory voltage limits. Expected benefits will be modelled using system design tools prior to tests on the live system. Test the benefits of voltage control with an optimised passive set point for minimising long term energy demand. Test the benefits of voltage control with a dynamic set point for minimising long term energy demand. Examine the potential for using a dynamic set point for creating a DSO flexibility product.
Abstract	Alternative, low cost voltage reduction trial
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	14/12/22