Increasing Transmission Boundary Power Flows using an Active Power Control Unit

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
National Grid Electricity Transmission

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 December 2018

01 April 2020

ENA months

£8,470

Power

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission

Project Contact, National Grid plc

This project proposes to assess the performance of a novel power electronic asset called the Active Power Control Unit (APCU). The APCU is a technology based on power electronics that can control active and reactive power flows in power lines both at transmission or distribution. The ability to control active and reactive power, provide the APCU with the ability to utilise existing capacity within the network. The APCU is based on multi-level, voltage sourced converter technology that provides a wide range of active and reactive power control. The system is able to control load flow and mitigate power oscillations, sub-synchronous oscillations and other dynamic events with high efficiency. With the exception of HVDC, there is currently no other system available that provides such a wide range of functionality and performance.However, by virtue of design and application, the APCU is potentially has a smaller hardware footprint and cheaper than a HVDC solution.The first stage is to provide a technical and commercial assessment (including Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)) which will inform the feasibility of further deployment. This method was selected in order to greater explore a potentially significant opportunity at relatively low risk and investment levels. The following activities will be part of the scope of the project: Identification of target circuits: Identify the line criteria where an APCU would have the most beneficial effect and then work with National Grid to identify a suitable line to study Technical Modelling: Model the technical parameters of the system to identify performance, losses and begin to identify technical requirements (this involves building a model of the APCU and the line to be studied and performing load flow studies to establish a base case line performance and a performance with the APCU in service). Economic and Business model arrangement Modelling: Establish the economics and value the solution generates. Investigate potential business models for deployment, operation and maintenance. Create Cost Benefit Analysis : Produce & Present CBA of solution to allow an informed decision to be made regarding progression to stage 2. Establish requirements and scope for stage 2: Define technical requirements, control functions and interfaces with NG to build stage 2 proposals which would be deployment of technology and validation of CBA. Provide networks with the capability to model the value of APCU technology to drive efficiencies in the way power is driven across transmission boundaries. If the CBA and this feasibility study are positive, then stage 2 of the project will look to deploy the technology – this will be a separate project.

This project proposes to assess the performance of a novel power electronic asset called the Active Power Control Unit (APCU). The APCU is a technology based on power electronics that can control active and reactive power flows in power lines both at transmission or distribution. The ability to control active and reactive power, provide the APCU with the ability to utilise existing capacity within the network.The first stage is to provide a technical and commercial assessment (including Cost Benefit Analysis (CBA)) which will inform the feasibility of further deployment. This method was selected in order to greater explore a potentially significant opportunity at relatively low risk and investment levels.

09/11/22