– National Grid is partnering with Smart Wires to develop a tool to coordinate power flow control devices
– The project aims to reduce congestion on the network and maximize existing infrastructure
– Advanced power flow controllers can reroute power in real-time to resolve bottlenecks and increase capacity on circuits
National Grid is working with Smart Wires to develop a tool to coordinate advanced power flow controllers to reduce network congestion and maximize existing infrastructure. This project, supported by Ofgem’s Network Innovation Alliance, aims to fully exploit grid enhancing technologies on the network. By re-routing power across circuits in real-time, advanced power flow controllers can alleviate bottlenecks and increase the capacity of clean power transmission.
Through partnerships with Smart Wires, National Grid has already installed Smart Valves technology in several substations in northern England to unlock north-south power flow capacity. By utilizing these technologies, National Grid estimates potential savings of £390 million over a seven-year period and unlocking over 2GW of power flow capacity. The project is expected to be completed by October 2025 and will also explore integrating other grid enhancing technologies like dynamic line rating.
Hêdd Roberts from Smart Wires anticipates that this project will optimize the deployment of grid enhancing technologies, leading to a more efficient and sustainable grid in the UK and beyond. As part of National Grid’s ‘Great Grid Upgrade,’ this project will ensure the maximum value is gained from new transmission developments. Additionally, National Grid is trialling dynamic line rating technology near Merseyside to increase the power carrying limit of lines.