What’s described as the UK’s first ‘smart’ electricity substation has been installed in Kent – ready to ‘talk’ to other sites and share power to where it’s most needed at peak times.
UK Power Networks’ Maidstone substation is the first in a series to be equipped to communicate, in an advanced way, with other sites, drawing upon AI and machine learning technology. This could allow more distributed generators to connect to the network across the South East of England.
UK Power Networks’ innovative Constellation trial is installing powerful computers in existing substations to better analyse power flows, and redirect energy to optimise infrastructure and cater for future needs.
The next-generation digital substations will use AI and machine learning to allow more energy to be safely released onto the network, and help accelerate the UK’s transition to Net Zero carbon emissions.
If the trial is successful, in future, strategically-positioned smart substations could allow network operators to dynamically shift the settings, freeing up to 50% of additional capacity when it is safe to do so.
Allington Energy from Waste has become the first distributed generator to connect to the new system, with a dedicated smart substation installed at its Maidstone site. A further five smart substations are set to be installed throughout the South East of England as part of the ongoing trial.
While these digital solutions are already live on the Constellation platform, UK Power Networks will continue to develop and trial new solutions, unlocking a range of solutions that could easily be introduced onto the platform in future.
Luca Grella, head of innovation at UK Power Networks said: “This is a groundbreaking innovation for our network, and the first of a series of smart substations which could make a real difference for our customers and the environment.
“Enhancing the service provided to our energy-generating customers, and making our network more resilient in the process, will go a long way to preparing our network for a decarbonised future, and will allow more renewable energy resources to connect.”
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Juergen Schaper, operations director (Energy Division) at FCC Environment which owns and operates Allington Energy From Waste said: “As one of the UK’s leading waste and resource businesses, we focus our efforts on generating heat and power from waste that cannot be recycled. Supplying that power to an ever more resilient network via this new smart substation is a positive step forward as we too prepare to support the decarbonisation efforts of the UK.”
