DNO
Power
UKPN reveals electricity network control system plans
Network operator UK Power Networks has unveiled plans for what it claims is the world's most advanced electricity network control system.
Customers
SSEN customers offered flexible connection option
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) will offer flexible connections to all of its customers.
Power
SP Energy Networks starts £1.7m substation upgrade
SP Energy Networks is due to start a £1.7 million upgrade to an electricity substation in Fife.
Power
SSEN invests £3m in ‘self-restoring’ network technology
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) says it has invested £3 million into helping its network "self-restore" following faults in the system.
Power
A level playing field
Mark Meyrick, head of smart grids at renewable energy supplier Ecotricity, discusses the challenge of DNOs and DSOs maintaining impartiality in the evolving environment of flexibility and ancillary services.
Power
SSEN launches DSO consultation
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has outlind the principles it will adhere to in its transition from a Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to a Distribution System Operator (DSO).
Power
Energy storage: Delivering power locally
Field Dynamics on operating models and the role of new technology.
Customers
Open Utility bags funding for local flexibility trading platform
Open Utility has been awarded £412,500 by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to develop a new online trading platform for local flexibility.
Gas
Citizens Advice calls for automatic compensation for network customers
Citizens Advice has called for customers to be automatically paid all compensation they are entitled to when energy networks fail to meet performance standards.
Power
Northern Powergrid deploys battery storage for frequency response
Northern Powergrid has begun using battery storage to provide frequency response for National Grid - the first time it has ever sold balancing services to the system operator.
Heat
Great Scott! 1.21 gigawatts!
How NIE Networks connected record amounts of renewable distributed generation.
Policy & Regulation
Ofgem connections penalty ‘unjustified’
Ofgem's intention to penalise distribution network operators (DNOs) to the tune of £13.9m for subpar connections services is "unjustified" a senior director at UK Power Networks (UKPN) has said.
Power
DNOs face penalties over subpar connection services
Ofgem has warned distribution network operators (DNO) they are likely to face penalties of around £13.9 million for failing to provide satisfactory connection services.
Power
Ofgem rules out DNO-owned storage
Ofgem will not allow distribution network operators to own and operate storage, as it fears this could "impede the development of a competitive market for storage and flexibility services".
Power
Networks deny RIIO has failed on innovation
The Energy Networks Association has hit back at claims that the RIIO framework has failed to encourage electricity distribution networks to become truly innovative.
Power
UK Power Networks to help UPS electrify deliveries
UK Power Networks has teamed up with logistics firm UPS to boost the number of electric vehicles operating from its delivery depot in Central London.
Power
DNOs still able to ‘game the system’ under RIIO
Regional power networks are being allowed to "game the system" under the RIIO framework, a researcher from the University of Exeter has claimed.
Power
WPD calls for feedback on DSO plan
Western Power Distribution (WPD) has called for responses to its new roadmap for the evolution of the network into a distribution system operator (DSO).
Power
ZIV Automation has supplied a protection and automation system for Llynfl Afan Renewable Energy Park.
ZIV Automation was chosen to provide a turnkey solution for protection and automation at Llynfl Afan Renewable Energy Park, together with the main contractor, NRS Group from Livingston (Scotland), and Gamesa Energy UK (GEUK). The park is connected to Western Power Distribution's network.
Policy & Regulation
A new world order
The technology is ready, now is the time to concentrate on the commercial and regulatory challenges that surround the DNOs' transition into DSOs, according to Laura Kane of Smarter Grid Solutions.
Power
Government must act to prevent energy market civil war
The government must take an active role in the transformation of the UK's energy system to prevent "a war of all against all" in an increasingly polarised energy market, Green Alliance has warned.
Power
Five ways LiDAR technology is mapping the future
LiDAR (light detection and ranging) technology has hit the headlines recently, but for Distribution Network Operators, the technology is fast becoming business as usual.
Heat
Innovating towards a DSO model
With over 30 years' service, I can probably now be considered a veteran of the energy network world. While I hate to be reminded I'm not getting any younger, it does allow me to take stock of the changes I've seen in my time working for one of the country's largest and most diverse network operators, writes Stewart Reid, Scottish and Southern Energy's head of Asset Management & Innovation.
Heat
Transparency needed over distributed energy
Local electricity networks should be forced to open up about the distributed energy resources they have access to, an academic from the University of Exeter has told Network's sister publication Utility Week.
Power
Letting networks own storage would ‘distort the market’
Networks should not be allowed to own storage assets as doing so would lead to market distortions and inefficiencies, a former Npower boss has warned.
Policy & Regulation
DSO concept is a ‘classic British fudge’
The planned shift towards a distribution system operator (DSO) model for local electricity networks is a "classic British fudge", an academic from the University of Exeter has told Networks' sister publication Utility Week.