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Projects: Projects for Investigator
Reference Number	NIA_NGET0171
Title	EPRI Research Collaboration on Electric and Magnetic Fields Health and Safety
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 National Grid Electricity Transmission
Award Type	Network Innovation Allowance
Funding Source	Ofgem
Start Date	01 September 2015
End Date	01 September 2016
Duration	12 months
Total Grant Value	£3,290,000
Industrial Sectors	Power
Region	London
Programme	Network Innovation Allowance
Investigators	Principal Investigator	Project Contact , National Grid Electricity Transmission (100.000%)
Web Site	http://www.smarternetworks.org/project/NIA_NGET0171
Objectives	The Electric and Magnetic Fields and Radio-Frequency Health Assessment and Safety EPRI: the purpose of the program is to provide: timely, reliable EMF and RF scientific research results, communication materials, relevant background information, and analyses of key external studies; publicly accessible, up-to-date information on EMF and RF research, health risk evaluations, and regulatory actions; experimental and epidemiologic research investigating high-priority residential and occupational EMF and RF health and safety questions; EMF Workstation software for modelling T&D infrastructure EMF in residential and occupational settings; EMF and RF exposure characterization research and exposure assessment software; educational materials, including instructional EMF/RF DVDs, tutorials, and RF safety awareness training; comprehensive assessment of the potential effects of EMF on aquatic life from submerged cables; and investigation of potential EMF interaction with implanted medical devices As already described, the overall project comprises multiple strands of work. Progress should be expected on each strand during 2015, but not necessarily that each strand would be completed or produce significant publications. The success criteria are that most, if not all, the milestones listed under "scope" above should be achieved.
Abstract	National Grid recognises that there are parallel challenges within the field of electricity transmission globally which are more economically investigated and addressed through collaborative learning and knowledge generation among key industry stakeholders. The Electric Power Research Institution (EPRI), with its wide international membership, plays a valuable role in identifying and delivering innovation projects aimed at addressing many of the challenges faced by electricity industry participants, including Transmission Network Owners and System Operators. This portfolio of work is focused on research into the effects of Electric and Magnetic Fields (EMF) and seeks to address key aspects of National Grid’s Innovation Strategy and an area of particular interest and concern to customers and other stakeholders with an interest in, or affected by, electricity transmission infrastructure. New Transmission and Distribution construction (including the development of electric vehicle charging infrastructure) and capacity upgrades, and scientific reports and the publicity surrounding them, can create public concerns about possible human health risks from electric and magnetic field (EMF) exposures. Such concerns can lead to lengthy delays for new projects, and possibly cause regulatory decisions that affect project schedules and costs, and jeopardise public acceptability of existing infrastructure. Revisions to guidelines for public and worker EMF exposures could result in altered exposure limits with consequential constraints on operations and extra costs. EPRI is a non-profit organization which facilitates a variety of research projects relating to substations within the electricity industry. These collaborative projects bring together scientists, engineers and academic experts in the industry to help assess recognised challenges within the field. EPRI’s approach in managing collaborative projects is beneficial to National Grid and our customers, providing valuable information, learning and knowledge which would be more expensive to formulate on an individual basis. By participating in a given project, National Grid not only contributes resource to the work and receives results, but also is able to influence the detailed content and priorities of the project, through attendance at steering groups (known as "Area Councils"). On an annual basis National Grid’s asset and system specialists review the portfolio of proposed projects for the coming year that have been identified by the expert task forces at EPRI as being of common value to members. This annual portfolio review includes an overview of the project’s research value, the approach and alignment of objectives with the needs of and priorities specifically for the GB Electricity Transmission Network. Each project that is selected for National Grid to participate in is further reviewed and ultimately approved by a panel of representatives from across the main directorates within National Grid. Associated with this program are the following research projects. The project is organised in formal terms as five sub-projects: EMF and RF Information Project - Project P60. 001Health Studies Related to EMF From Transmission and Distribution Infrastructure - Project P60. 002EMF Workstation - Project P60. 003EMF and RF Exposure Assessment Related to Emerging Technologies - Project P60. 004EMF and RF Occupational Health - Project P60. 005Whilst all of theseare valuable to us, this structure disguises the fact that P60. 002 and P60. 005 each comprise a number of strands of work and it is in these that the bulk of the effort and benefit relates.Note : Project Documents may be available via the ENA Smarter Networks Portal using the Website link above
Publications	(none)
Final Report	(none)
Added to Database	14/08/18