National Grid and Smart Wires Aim to Reduce Grid Bottlenecks with Innovative Software Tool
National Grid and Smart Wires have partnered on an innovation project to better utilize grid enhancing technologies like advanced power flow controllers and reduce network congestion as well as increase the potential of existing infrastructure.
The project funded by the Network Innovation Allowance aims to develop a tool to coordinate the installation and operation of advanced power flow control (APFC) devices like Smart Wires’ SmartValve to avoid network constraints and improve the amount of clean energy flowing. It also plans to identify the best locations for additional grid enhancing technologies, including dynamic line rating (DLR), to be installed in the future.
National Grid has installed SmartValves at three substations in northern England, Harker, Penwortham and Saltholme, to operate across five circuits and a further installation planned at South Shields.
While about $489.5 million is estimated to be saved over a seven-year period due to reduced constraint costs and avoided expenditure on new infrastructure build, over 2 GW of north-south power flow capacity will also be opened.
National Grid is testing DLR technology from LineVision on its network on a circuit between Penwortham and Kirkby, with line sensors and weather data analytics helping to increase the power-carrying limit of the line and potentially saving money of consumers.
