Intelligent Management and Post-fault Active Control Techniques (IMPACT)

The Intelligent Management and Post-fault Active Control Techniques (IMPACT) project represents a significant evolution of Active Network Management (ANM) systems for electricity distribution networks. Building on the success of earlier NGED projects such as Running Cool, IMPACT aims to introduce and combine innovative methods to enhance the capacity and flexibility of distribution networks. IMPACT will develop an intelligent system that calculates and safely selects post-fault and dynamic asset ratings for our next generation ANM. This approach has the potential to significantly reduce unnecessary curtailment for generation and demand customers, enabling more efficient utilisation of existing network infrastructure and faster, lower-cost connections.

Problem(s) 

Active Network Management (ANM) is a sophisticated system that has allowed Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to connect generation and demand customers to the distribution network more quickly and at reduced cost. ANM systems do this by performing various network simulations and temporarily curtailing (or turning up) generator or demand customers when a network constraint is identified. This process allows existing capacity to be more effectively utilised for new customers without requiring expensive and time-consuming network reinforcement.

ANM systems currently operate using ‘pre-event curtailment’. This means that the system performs iterative analysis to identify potential network constraints for various N-1 scenarios (i.e. an unplanned circuit or transformer outage) and curtails generation/demand accordingly. This avoids the possibility of any overload condition should an actual fault occur on the network. The system compares network loading against the 'pre-fault' or sustained asset ratings to calculate the amount of curtailment. This conservative operational mode is a safe and effective approach to ANM, but customers could be subject to higher curtailment than is strictly necessary.

Method(s) 

Innovative methods have the potential to unlock the use of post-fault and short-term post fault ratings based on dynamic line rating technology as trialled in our groundbreaking Running Cool & FASTER projects. These ratings are higher than pre-fault ratings and therefore will reduce curtailment if there is a way to safely and reliably utilise them. Intelligent Management and Post-fault Active Control Techniques (IMPACT) would be the first time that the methods are combined and deployed on the network to create a fundamental step-change in ANM optimisation. It has the potential for significant benefits for customers and DNOs and warrants innovation funding due to the associated innovation risk.

• Scope

  IMPACT will aim to develop a software system that consists of several elements or modules that process distribution network status, weather forecast and remote sensor data to produce dynamic and intelligent asset ratings. The system will then select the most appropriate rating to use in the ANM system dependent on a clearly defined and tested set of logical rules. The two main elements of the system are described below:

  Enhanced Rating System (ERS) – The ERS will be an innovative software solution that will be responsible for integrating with the NGED source databases to ingest continuous and post-fault asset rating data for OHL, transformers and cables. It will utilise remote sensor data and software thermal models to calculate and store dynamic asset ratings. A sophisticated set of logical rules will then ensure that the most appropriate asset ratings are selected and applied to the ANM models whilst ensuring the safety and reliability of the distribution network.

  Weather Processing Module (WPM) – The WPM will be a sophisticated software system that can integrate with various weather forecast datasets that are available from online sources. The WPM will process and validate the datasets for the downstream processes. The input data will be fed into the rating engine, which will calculate asset ratings based on several forecast timescales as well as determining the statistical ‘confidence factor’ associated with the data. The system will store carry out the analysis and update its database in real-time. It will store and utilise historic data for baselining and weather correction. The WPM will have an integration to the ERS to allow the data outputs to be passed to the ERS so that it can make intelligent updates to the ANM system.

  IMPACT has the capability to reduce the curtailment experienced by demand and generation customers connected to the distribution network on curtailable connection agreements. This represents a direct financial benefit to these customers. The DNO must now also compensate the customer at a published set price, known as the "exceeded curtailment price" where curtailment has exceeded the customer curtailment limits. DNOs will benefit financially via reduced curtailment charges if curtailment can be reduced.

  The number of curtailable connections will increase as the volumes of Low Carbon Technologies (LCTs) also increase on the distribution network. It is anticipated that customer curtailment may become a focus of the RIIO Ofgem regulatory mechanism. It is therefore critical that DNOs investigate novel ANM methods to reduce customer curtailment, and to be adequately prepared for future regulatory directives. IMPACT has the potential to generate learning that can be disseminated to the wider industry and therefore lead to financial benefits in future price controls from the ability of DNOs to defer or avoid network reinforcement.

• Objectives

  The project will undertake the following objectives:

  • Investigate the existing ANM technologies and develop use cases
  • Develop high-level and functional specifications for the ERS and WPM.
  • Complete desktop simulations to validate system operation and associated potential benefits.
  • Develop, test and install the ERS.
  • Develop, test and install the WPM.
  • Demonstrate the IMPACT system on a trial network and monitor its performance.
  • Disseminate learning to internal stakeholders and the wider industry.
• Success Critieria

  Success is the specification, design, development, testing and deployment strategy of the ERS that works in conjunction with an upgraded ANM system. The solution should be able to output and select an enhanced, post-fault or static rating dependent on network conditions and carry out its ANM operation in line with the ERS logic.

  In addition, the solution will have a policy document that describes the operation and control of the new system(s).

• Potential for new learning

  IMPACT will generate significant learning related to the calculation of dynamic and enhanced asset ratings that can be integrated into ANM systems for customer and DNO benefit. The project will investigate transformer, OHL and cable assets to maximise the learning from the project. A key element will be understanding how the solution can harness weather data to drive capacity increases on the network.

  IMPACT will also learn how to create the necessary logic to implement dynamic and enhanced ratings without diminishing the safety and reliability of the network.The majority of UK DNOs have successfully implemented ANM systems to manage network constraints in real-time. ANM systems are designed under similar principles because the associated distribution networks are constructed from the same electrical equipment (i.e. OHLs, cables and transformers). It is therefore anticipated that the learning from IMPACT will be applicable to all UK DNOs that operate ANM systems on their network.

  A reporting and dissemination work package has been built into the project plan. This will facilitate the efficient dissemination of learning to relevant stakeholders and the wider industry. As part of this work package the project will produce a system performance report that will describe the performance of IMPACT and compare this to system simulations. Following this a full project closedown report will be produced and the project will seek to share learning through industry conferences and webinars as required.