An innovative real-time smart control technology is proving a major success on the North West’s power network.
Late last year, SP Electricity North West successfully connected a new large-scale 30MW battery to its network via its real-time active network management (ANM) system.
The technology meant that the connection was accelerated by three years, without the need for the network to be reinforced, and delivered £3.2 million in savings.
ANM effectively acts as an autopilot for managing specific parts of the electricity network, using real-time data to continuously monitor network limits and automatically manage import power when a network constraint is detected. This ensures safe and reliable network operation during periods of peak use or abnormal network stress.
Since being installed, ANM has activated more than 400 times, while the battery has been able to operate almost normally, with just 0.3% restriction. The network technology also enables the battery to participate in National Grid balancing services, playing a vital part of the transition to net zero.
When activated, ANM has ensured the battery site has utilised more than 99% of energy available, with only a small amount being curtailed.
The innovative system delivers unmatched efficiency, scalability, robustness and fairness as it combines technology with SP Electricity North West’s unique network management system functionality into a single real-time system for streamlined operations. This leads to increased efficiency, better control and lower risk.
Paul Auckland, SP Electricity North West’s head of distribution system operation, said: “Utilising ANM to connect this large-scale battery has avoided restrictions on the network, saved money and most importantly, protected thousands of power supplies to customers, all while operating in the background.
“Anyone wanting a connection to the electricity distribution grid in the North West should consider if lower cost and faster connections could work for them, if they can be flexible about network use.
“The system is revolutionary – accelerating connections that would typically need to wait for reinforcement.
“The technology enables cleaner energy projects, such as renewables, to come online sooner and supporting the growth of flexibility services, facilitating greener growth in the region.”
A future pipeline of projects is currently being considered for the technology so that more connections can benefit.
