National Grid is embarking on a pioneering collaboration with Smart Wires, aimed at revolutionizing the utilization of grid-enhancing technologies such as advanced power flow controllers. This innovative initiative seeks to alleviate network congestion and harness the full potential of existing infrastructure to facilitate the transmission of more clean energy.
Funded by the Network Innovation Allowance, the project endeavors to develop a cutting-edge tool to coordinate the deployment and operation of advanced power flow control (APFC) devices, including Smart Wires’ SmartValve. By strategically deploying these technologies, the project aims to mitigate network constraints and enhance the flow of clean energy across transmission circuits.
As the landscape of electricity generation and demand undergoes decarbonization, managing power flow across the network is becoming increasingly intricate. Transmission circuits often encounter uneven loading, leading to decreased efficiency in energy transmission. Technologies like APFCs play a pivotal role in resolving these bottlenecks by intelligently redistributing power across circuits in real-time, optimizing electricity flow.
The overarching goal of the innovation project is to develop a tool that not only coordinates the dispatch of existing APFCs but also identifies optimal locations for the installation of additional grid-enhancing technologies, such as dynamic line rating (DLR), in the future.
Gary Stockdale, National Grid’s net zero innovation manager, expressed enthusiasm about the project, stating, “This project will give us better insight to fully exploit the potential of grid-enhancing technologies on our network, and boost the volume of clean power our circuits can carry around the country.”
National Grid’s prior endeavor in 2019, which explored the benefits of power flow controllers, resulted in the installation of SmartValves at three substations in northern England—Harker, Penwortham, and Saltholme—spanning across five circuits. Further installations are in the pipeline, with plans underway for additional deployment at South Shields.
It is estimated that this initiative could yield savings of approximately £390 million over a seven-year period, attributed to reduced constraint costs and averted expenditure on new infrastructure build. Moreover, over 2GW of north-south power flow capacity is anticipated to be unlocked, bolstering the resilience and efficiency of the grid.
