Duncan Botting - Institution of Electrical Engineers

Question: You are holding an event on the distribution of UK electricity supplies; why you are running this event?

 

Duncan Botting: The event being held on the 29th June at UMIST is The Active Network Tutorial on the UK distribution network and how and why it is changing.

 

Due to the increasing likelihood of large amounts of distribution generation that will be connected onto a distribution network the ability of the networks to absorb this increase is going to create a challenge for the security and the quality of supplies.

 

The industry needs to make some significant choices about how the power networks can be adapted to meet the changes of the future in a cost-effective way. This event endeavours to highlight some interesting technology that is already available and describe how this problem is being approached to find solutions that will meet the demand being placed upon the distribution networks of the future.

 

Question: What distribution system do we have today how will this change in the future?

 

Duncan Botting:  Since privatisation Britain’s distribution networks have evolved and the companies have found ways of improving their levels of service and efficiency to deliver cheaper options to customers.

 

By efficiently managing the assets that were put in place in the 1960s they have managed to extend active life and balance this carefully with judicious levels of investment in new or replacement equipment. The effect of this decision is the increase in age profile of equipment on the distribution networks. Combine this with the other changing levels of demand and external constraints such as government targets for renewable power generation etc placed upon the distribution network and it is clear some change in the way these networks operate is needed. We could continue to reinforce the distribution network in a traditional way but this is likely to become prohibitively expensive. Yesterday’s solutions are unlikely to be efficient in meeting tomorrow’s challenges. These networks need to become progressively more intelligent and active to ensure that effective and innovative solutions can be adopted in the future.

 

Question: How has the electricity industry adapted to this change?

 

Duncan Botting: Each distribution network has developed in different ways to deal with specific problems relating to their network. The problem with this approach is sometimes the bigger picture issues are lost in the detail of the specific issues being discussed. On this occasion the industry is trying to take a more holistic view in the way their teams look at the technical architecture required to meet the demands for future networks. This team is headed by the IEE, working in close conjunction with all of the stakeholders in the industry; government, network companies, suppliers, research organisations, etc.

 

Question: What are the main problems facing the industry due to this change?

 

Duncan Botting: The power networks were designed to deliver large centralised generated power by a very strong transmission network which delivered the electricity to distribution companies and on to the end customer. In the new world, power could actually be generated at the end customer (microCHP - Combined Heat and Power - generation) this could then be exported back onto the Grid – customers would rightly want to be paid for this.

 

A number of technical challenges result from this type of distributed generation development, ranging from voltage control to the safe limitation of fault levels, and dynamic stability of the generators on the grid.

 

Question: What are the solutions to the problems posed?

 

Duncan Botting:  Some solutions already exist in the world, others will need to be developed. To ensure that the most cost effective and technically appropriate solutions are chosen, they will require the whole industry to be engaged in the development process. As part of this engagement the IEE, DTI and Ofgem will back the seminar on active networks as a start towards informing and engaging the best brains, with the knowledge and experience to resolve the issues described.

 

Question: This is described as the “big issue” in the electricity industry - why is this so?

 

Duncan Botting:  No other single technical challenge in the industry, certainly for the last 25 years, has galvanised minds and energy as has the introduction of large-scale distribution generation. The problem of distribution generation will address a wide range of issues resulting in an opportunity to improve our power networks for the future ensuring that they can adapt more easily to the challenges that are sure to come.

 

Question: What does the future hold for the industry in terms of distribution?

 

Duncan Botting: The future is very bright for the industry; the challenges and investment needed to resolve the issues will inevitably make the industry more appealing to the young minds of tomorrow. This is very important. The shortages in skill base are a concern and a possible barrier to deliver the solutions of tomorrow. The knowledge the UK develops may also be in great demand around the world.

 

Events like the active network seminar will continue to stimulate innovative products and solutions to ensure that Britain’s distribution networks serve the needs of both industry and residential customers in the future.