A combination of innovative digital substation protection and control solutions from ABB and 5G technologies will enable UK Power Networks to accept growing levels of renewable energy.
A ground-breaking project by UK Power Networks with ABB as partner will increase the amount of renewable energy connected to the grid at medium-voltage substations. It will also support the UK’s path to Net Zero by 2050, which includes increasing the country’s share of renewable energy to 80 percent.
Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) including UK Power Networks, have powerful centralized systems that give them overall control over the grid. The Constellation project will set out to create intelligent substations at local level, capable of analyzing millions of datapoints and automatically reconfiguring the network to safely enable higher volumes of electricity to flow.
Constellation has received funding from Ofgem’s Network Innovation Competition (NIC), and this multi-vendor project will introduce first-of-its-kind intelligence into existing distribution substations.
As a leader in grid automation, ABB’s role is to deliver a digital and software-oriented wide area protection system that uses the 5G telecoms network for communication between substations. The system will be based on IEC 61850 standard and will integrate with other parts of the Constellation project.
The scheme will enable real-time monitoring and control of distributed energy resources (DER) such as wind and solar farms. With thousands of substations across Great Britain, UK Power Networks’ new approach has the potential to unlock 1.4 gigawatts (GW) of network capacity that will enable further integration of DER. This would achieve annual savings of 19 million tonnes of CO2 emissions and cost efficiencies of £750 million for the UK’s Distribution Network Operators. Of this, ABB’s technology will facilitate savings worth £348 million.
The project will further support the digitalization of the protection algorithms that are traditionally embedded in intelligent electronic devices (IEDs). This novel approach has the potential to create the next generation of protection and control concepts that are based on software instead of hardware platforms.
Ian Cameron, Head of Customer Service and Innovation at UK Power Networks, said: “With the UK government setting the ambitious target of achieving Net Zero by 2050, we are creating a platform that will enable us to deploy this smart solution throughout the country and enable more renewable energy to connect quickly and efficiently. The Constellation project will play a key role in ensuring the seamless integration of DERs into the network, releasing grid capacity and ultimately saving money for our customers.”
Stephen Gibbs, ABB UK’s Product Marketing Director for Distribution Solutions said: “UK Power Networks’ Constellation project is the latest example of how ABB is developing smart distribution solutions to provide customers with greater reliability and safety. It further supports the energy transition through effective grid integration of distributed renewable energy.”
To learn more about smart grid protection and control visit: go.abb/digitalsubstations
— For more information please contact David Watton Marketing and Communications Manager ABB – Electrification T: +44 (0)7880 557171 |
About ABB
ABB (ABBN: SIX Swiss Ex) is a leading global technology company that energizes the transformation of society and industry to achieve a more productive, sustainable future. By connecting software to its electrification, robotics, automation and motion portfolio, ABB pushes the boundaries of technology to drive performance to new levels. With a history of excellence stretching back more than 130 years, ABB’s success is driven by about 105,000 talented employees in over 100 countries. www.abb.com
About ABB Electrification
ABB’s Electrification Business Area is a global leader in electrical products and solutions, operating in more than 100 countries, with over 200 manufacturing sites. Our 50,000+ employees are dedicated to transforming how people live, connect and work by delivering safe, smart and sustainable electrification solutions. We are shaping the future trends of electrification, differentiating through technological and digital innovation while delivering an outstanding experience through operational excellence for our customers across utilities, industry, buildings, infrastructure and mobility. For more information visit https://go.abb/electrification
About UK Power Networks.
UK Power Networks is the country’s biggest electricity distributor, making sure the lights stay on for more than eight million homes and businesses across London, the South East and the East of England. Network operators aren’t the same as energy suppliers; network operators manage local power lines and substations, while energy suppliers sell the electricity that runs through the power lines. UK Power Networks continues to be listed in the Sunday Times’ Top 25 Best Big Companies to Work For, and made industry history by becoming first company to win Utility of the Year two years running (2015 and 2016, also 2012). The company invests more than £600 million in its electricity networks every year, offers extra help to vulnerable customers at times of need, and is undertaking trials to ensure that electricity networks support the transition to a low carbon future. It also moves cables and connects new electricity supplies. If you have a power cut ring 105, see www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk or tweet us @UKPowerNetworks
