Category: IT, OT & Market based solutions
Grid Requirement tackled
- LV network has historically not been recorded in the detail required for any detailed analysis and design. With electrification, the transport loads will increase significantly on the LV system and any assessment as to the impact will depend on a details LV Mode, showing the connectivity of each customer by transformer, LV Circuit and LV Phase as well as a GIS map of the LV circuits. In addition, the time-of-day usage for each such customer will be required.
Approach & solution
- Technology – this approach uses the outage recording facility of LV SmartMeter to provide the electrical and geographic network model. The LV fuse on each phase of each circuit fed form the local MV/LV transformer is opened for a few seconds and then closed. This causes a brief outage to each customer on a specific phase on each circuit fed from the transformer. The SmartMeter records such outages, and each set of outages therefore identifies the specific customer on each phase of each circuit. As the SmartMeters also have a GIS location, this also identities the geographical route of each LV circuit and creates a GIS model.
- The solution is readily applicable in any situation where a specific fuse can be disengaged on a circuit. It could also be applied at MV, although MV networks are usually mapped with precision. The supply interruption is too short to be counted as a notifiable outage.
- Straightforward software coding and testing of SmartMeter response to ensure that outages were not amalgamated together by averaging within the Smart Meter system. A technician must be approved as competent to disengage and engage an LV fuse.
- Ideally the ‘flashing’ of the fuses would be combined with routine maintenance, making the OPEX not an issue.
Benefits
- Very accurate network models allow more accurate automated design for reinforcement. Additionally, customers could use such models to initially assess cost of new connection or additional load. Timing and requirement for network reinforcement can be accurately predicted. Volt drop and capacity can be optimised by Sectionalising Investments will only be initiated when required.
- Customers – less volt drop, faster decisions on allowing increased load or OV Generator connections, less outages and fixed faster.
- DSOs – DSO can automate LV Network design and avoid requirement to reinforce until actually required. Less Customer complaints about connection times and power quality.
- Market – opens market for use of DSM at LV.
- Timelines to deploy and start realising benefits: 1 year