Co-benefits of energy networks integration technologies for system operation

d529e328-f50a-482f-8f76-3ba1a75b4e67

Closed

EPSRC
NERC
NERC
NERC
NERC

No funds listed.

Sept. 30, 2018

March 31, 2023

In order to meet carbon budgets and accelerate UK energy system decarbonisation, increased coupling of transport, heating and industrial sectors to the power grid is required, and can be partly driven by the RD&D of multi-energy networks approaches. This is already happening: several studies have demonstrated the potential of networks integration to provide valuable operational flexibility to both gas and electricity networks, as well as the current and future risks arising from supply constraints. Further research modelling a future where 4% of UK vehicles are fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEVs) suggested that if electrolyzers in hydrogen refuelling stations are also enabled to provide frequency control ancillary services (FCAS), then significant displacement of CCGT capacity, and reductions in carbon emissions and costs, could be realised.

Schemes/appliances for converting energy from electricity to heat or hydrogen is primarily done to serve heating/transport/thermal demands, ideally with maximum utilisation of excess renewable generation. It will be interesting to examine the possible synergies between these developments and the requirements of the future grid, since these other benefits could be potentially obtained from strategic planning of the new facilities. These cover the reduced need for reinforcement and providing balancing and frequency response services, as well as an increasing need for potential for local services and black start capacity.

Although integrated energy networks tools already exist, these may be limited in terms of their capabilities and work is needed to understand where and when certain assumptions and simplifications in the models can be made. The project is therefore looking to make modelling improvements, such that tools can be developed and applied which account for the phenomena relevant to planning and investment decisions of the future low-inertia, low-carbon grid.

Potential Impact:
This Centre will train students in the blend of traditional and emerging power network concepts and advances in information and communication technologies, consumer and demand side technologies, and integrated energy systems required to deliver future power networks. This targets the skills challenge in the electrical power networks industry, and the lack of high quality graduates able to deliver the smart grid. The training will deliver doctoral level engineers that are prepared for key technical tasks within the power networks and utility industry, and this is a positive impact for society.

A number of industrial partners have agreed to provide placements in which projects are undertaken with the company and on their premises. This will provide an immediate industrial impact where research concepts, systems and approaches can be delivered as knowledge exchange impact, leading to enhanced performance of the UK power networks industry. Direct engagement with the industrial partners, and their funding of the research programme and strong engagement, will lead to new intellectual property that can be capitalised upon by UK manufacturers (new products), consultancies and service providers (new offerings, analyses, services) and network operators (increased efficiencies and reduced capital and operational expenditure). Overall, this will lead to the impact of reduced energy costs for the UK consumer.

Academic impact will be achieved through the internationally leading and novel research activities planned for the Centre. Extensive links and engagement with leading international academics are being put in place to underpin this.

Society will benefit directly by the CDT helping to elevate the standing of the engineering profession and producing more engineers aware of the implications of their technical work for policy and their wider responsibilities to the public, with a particular emphasis on energy. The CDT's impact on policy will be accentuated by the key roles played by our senior staff in government-industry steering groups such as ETI Strategic Advisory Groups, Ofgem Innovation Working Group, IET Power Networks Joint Vision Group, Scottish Grid and Economics Group, and the Scottish Smart Grid Sector Strategy Group to name a few. Our international links through CIGRE, CIRED, and the IEEE will ensure that our outcomes influence a global community.

Our CDT cohorts, alongside our early career research communities, are central to our ambitions to inspire a generation through impact and engagement. Strategic engagement initiatives, such as Strathclyde's Technology and Innovation Centre, are intended to transform the way in which universities work with industry and communicate effectively with all stakeholders, including the public. The CDT cohort will benefit from interactions within this environment, leading to further uptake of the research among stakeholders.