Projects
Projects: Projects for Investigator |
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| Reference Number | NIA2_NGET0007 | |
| Title | EPRI Research Collaboration on Electric & Magnetic Fields Health & Safety (P60) 2021-25 | |
| 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 National Grid Electricity Transmission |
|
| Award Type | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Funding Source | Ofgem | |
| Start Date | 01 December 2021 | |
| End Date | 31 December 2025 | |
| Duration | ENA months | |
| Total Grant Value | £1,886,480 | |
| Industrial Sectors | Power | |
| Region | London | |
| Programme | Network Innovation Allowance | |
| Investigators | Principal Investigator | Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (100.000%) |
| Industrial Collaborator | Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (0.000%) |
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| Web Site | https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/NIA2_NGET0007 |
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| Objectives | NGET recognise that the challenges faced by the electricity industry can be more efficiently and cost-effectively addressed when approached through international collaboration initiatives. It is particularly useful when addressing challenges where the solutions require statistically diverse data sets and/or significant trialling and testing in different environments, under various conditions and/or diverse ways.EPRI, with its wide international membership, is one of the routes through which these initiatives can be delivered, thereby maximising stakeholder value. The approach of managing collaborative projects within an internationally driven research and development initiative is beneficial to NGET and consumers alike, because it provides valuable information, learning and knowledge that would be considerably more expensive if approached on an individual basis.The question of whether EMFs are linked in any way to ill-health in human and non-human biome is a long-standing debate for which there is no scientifically conclusive answer and extensive research is in progress. As a responsible business, NGET ensure effective management of EMF issues through an EMF management strategy that is informed by cutting edge medical research on potential health impacts on from EMF and RF exposures. Continued access to high quality research regarding EMF and RF exposures is central to ensuring that electricity assets can be operated effectively and safely. To facilitate this, NGET have been closely involved in Program 60 (P60): Electric and Magnetic Fields and Radio-Frequency Health Assessment and Safety, carried out by EPRI. There are two strands in this program, each with multiple research tasks:60A – Health Studies and Risk Communication60B – Exposure Characterization and Management Data Quality Statement (DQS): The project will be delivered under the NIA framework in line with OFGEM, ENA and NGET internal policy. Data produced as part of this project will be subject to quality assurance to ensure that the information produced with each deliverable is accurate to the best of our knowledge and sources of information are appropriately documented. All deliverables and project outputs will be stored on our internal SharePoint platform ensuring access control, backup and version management. Deliverables will be shared with other network licensees through following channels:Executive summaries of EPRI reports through the EPRI websiteClosedown reports on the Smarter Networks Portal.Journals and paper publicationsUK wide conference organised by NGET and EPRI annuallyPosts on public-facing website www.emfs.infoENAs EMF Strategy Committee proceedingsMeasurement Quality Statement (MQS): The methodology used in this project will be subject to suppliers own quality assurance regime. Quality assurance processes and the source of data, measurement processes and equipment as well as data processing will be clearly documented and verifiable. The measurements, designs and economic assessments will also be clearly documented in the relevant deliverables and final project report and will be made available for review. In line with the ENAs ENIP document, the risk rating is scored Low.TRL Steps = 1 (2 TRL steps)Cost = 3 (£1.886m)Suppliers = 1 (1 supplier)Data Assumption = 1 (Assumptions and principles are well defined as this is the continuation of the research carried out in NIA_NGET0208) EPRI research programs contain multiple strands which span multiple years. Research objectives are revised every year based on the most recent outcomes. Scope of the two strands within P60, for the next 2 years are outlined as follows:PS60A: Health Studies and Risk Communication: This strand investigates health outcomes from EMF and RF exposures by:Conducting novel scientific research to help resolve key uncertainties related to residential EMF exposure and health outcomes. This may include conducting high-quality epidemiology studies and/or synthesis of health research. This will be carried out through:TransExpo, which is an international, multi-year study of Childhood Leukaemia (CL) focusing on populations living in apartment buildings with built-in transformersCL and EMF Pooled Analysis, which is a pooled analysis of 14 new epidemiology studies on CL risks that have been published since 2000 to validate a meta-analysis outcome that risk of CL is reducingAlternative Hypothesis for CL and Transmission Lines, which explores an alternative hypothesis for CL that could be associated with transmission line rights-of-way but is not EMF related such as pesticides, population demographics, etc.Conducting research on emerging health and environmental concerns from application of technologies such as HVDC lines, 5G, hybrid lines etc. This will be carried out through:Evaluation of the Scientific Literature on Potential Health Effects on Humans and Animals from High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and Hybrid Lines, a study on health impacts from the generation of air ions near electricity assets on humans and animalsDeveloping research summaries and information using the latest available science to inform member risk communication plans. This will be carried out through:Electrohypersensitivity (EHS) Information Sheet, which is a technical brief answering most common questions around EHS, a condition where people regularly experience a range of symptoms which could be caused by exposure to (EMF) usually well below established exposure limit values5G Information Sheet, a technical brief that will provide answers to the most commonly asked questions and/or misunderstandings about 5G that members may use to inform their risk communication plansDeveloping EMF Training Modules to aid knowledge transfer in the industry PS60B Exposure Characterization and Management: This strand addresses the electric utility industrys occupational concerns regarding exposure to EMF and RF emissions by:Developing source measurement methods, calculational tools, and industry exposure databases to assist in characterizing the EMF and RF fields. This will be carried out through:EMF Occupational Database 1.0, an innovative exposure database that EPRI members can use to help inform their characterization and assessment of magnetic fields for typical equipment and tasks in the electric power industryUpdates to EMF Management Reference Book Second Edition5G Exposure Measurements, that looks into developing a measurement protocol to practically assess the potential exposures to workers and members of the pubic from the deployment of 5G equipmentAssessment of RF exposures from Smart Home and Smart City technologiesInvestigating exposure mitigation options and approachesDeveloping exposure management practices and guidanceElectrical Vehicle (EV) Charging Measurements, looking into characterization measurements during vehicle charging for a representative sampleFactors Affecting Extra Low Frequency (ELF) Immunity Limits for Implantable Medical Devices, a study investigating effects and implications of ELF EMF on operational staff with medically implanted devicesIntegrating aspects of at-pace learning for new occupational EMF issue managers and other stakeholders for knowledge transfer The objectives of this project is to continue the work in NIA_NGET0208, to generate the following updated outputs:timely, reliable EMF and RF scientific research results, communication materials, relevant background information, and analysis of key external studiespublicly accessible, up-to-date information on EMF and RF research, health risk evaluations, and regulatory actionsexperimental and epidemiologic research investigating high-priority residential and occupational EMF and RF health and safety questionsEMF workstation software for modelling transmission and distribution infrastructure EMF in residential and occupational settingsEMF and RF exposure characterisation research and exposure assessment softwareeducational materials, including instructional EMF/RF DVDs, tutorials, and RF safety awareness trainingcomprehensive assessment of the potential effects of EMF on aquatic life from submerged cables;investigation of potential EMF interaction with implanted medical devices | |
| Abstract | Electric and magnetic fields (EMF) are present whenever and wherever electricity is generated, transmitted, and used. Radiofrequency (RF) emissions are prevalent due to the adoption of wireless communication devices, smart meters, inverters, etc. Understanding and concerns around potential environmental health and safety impacts related to these EMF and RF exposures are evolving as the need for electrification and grid resiliency increases. Through this project, National Grid ET (NGET) will collaborate with Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to carry out fundamental research to assess the uncertainties and potential impact of EMFs and RFs on human and non-human biota, develop models and characterization for EMFs and RFs, and synthesise global developments in the field, for use in the UK energy industry. | |
| Publications | (none) |
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| Final Report | (none) |
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| Added to Database | 14/10/22 | |
