Smarter Grid Solutions technology lies in the emerging area of Active Network Management (ANM). Its patented ANM techniques allow electricity grids to move away from a passive electricity delivery system to one where they can reliably and autonomously interact with renewable generators and other end users of the grid.
Traditionally, the grid capacity available for new connections
to the electricity grid is about half of the installed grid
capacity. This is because the grid is planned to operate passively,
allocating and relying on a reserve element of grid capacity for
grid outages, or other rare and unforeseen occurrences. Grid
monitoring and control, especially at lower voltage levels, is
rare.
ANM monitors and controls the grid so that power companies and
utilities can use this reserve capacity for new connections. This
approach can create up to two or three times more capacity to host
new generation and demand.
ANM involves a range of software, automation and controls that
monitor the grid in real time to ensure it remains within its
operating constraints. It can also increase the capacity of the
grid when weather cooling effects allow more power to be
transferred, particularly through overhead lines.
Making this capacity available to new generators and loads means
that the existing electricity grid can accommodate a much larger
transfer of energy. For low carbon technologies, an additional
benefit is cheaper grid connections and shorter lead times on low
carbon projects.
Public and government opposition to building new electricity
infrastructure is rising. So the opportunity that ANM creates to
accelerate the low carbon transition and meet growing global
electricity demand within the existing electricity system means
that it is attracting strong interest from the power industry
around the world.
ANM will transform the way electricity grids are planned and
operated. It is already driving changes to industry business
models, technical standards and how end users interact with the
electricity grid.
Smarter Grid Solutions products enable grid capacity to be
extended by 200 - 300%
