Technology focus
Technology & Operations
Finding fault: bringing fresh intelligence to LV network management
More consumers and more connections. More solar panels, more heat pumps - and lots more electric vehicles (EVs). The relentless drive to decarbonisation is making it harder for energy operators to analyse and respond to complex, unpredictable load patterns on their distribution networks, writes Kelvatek.
Gas
Smart Energy in Orkney
A visit to the Scottish isles of Orkney unveils an innovative smart energy system, writes Anna Stegman, technical liaison manager for the Energy Revolution Integration Service at the Energy Systems Catapult.
Gas
Cybersecurity: making smart homes secure
Internet-connected smart devices can deliver significant benefits to users' lives, anticipating needs and providing services in areas from entertainment to energy use
Customers
UK software firm SGS expands services in US
UK software provider Smarter Grid Solutions (SGS) is launching a customer portal for utility companies in the US after successfully implementing the system for Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and UK Power Networks.
Technology & Operations
Costain webinar highlights five ways to crack innovation
Optimising assets, reducing risk and maximising return on investment - the "to do list" of major companies in the energy and water sectors becomes ever longer.
Power
Siemens launches new IoT apps and protection relay
Siemens is launching two new products at the European Utility Week show in Paris - a new suite of grid diagnostic apps that exploits Internet of Things (IoT) technology, and a new protection relay device, the Reyrolle 5.
Gas
How materials science will underpin the future energy network
What are the materials that will serve as the backbone for electrical energy storage, renewable energy generation, gas and the grid itself in the future, and how might they underpin the future of the energy network? Four academics from Newcastle University and Durham University discuss the role of materials science in developing new network capacity.
Technology & Operations
Why energy storage is going to revolutionise the electricity system
Find out why UK Power Networks think that energy storage is going to revolutionise the electricity system. See video below:
Gas
Cadent’s ‘Gas-Bots’
Cadent's 'Gas-Bots' are being used to repair gas pipes in London. The CISBOT has been used beneath one of London's busiest locations - The Strand.
Power
Siemens Portable Switch reference video in cooperation with UK Power Networks
The Portable Switch is a light weight outdoor vacuum circuit breaker that has load and fault breaking capability. Once installed, line crews can use it to easily switch the electricity supply on and off. This can be done from a safe distance as the operation of the device can be time delayed. See video below:
Heat
Delivering electricity to the grid
Ørsted's Walney Extension Offshore Wind Farm, located off England's north west coastline, will become the world's largest wind farm when it is completed later this year. A high-performance heat-conducting concrete is being used to maximise the transmission of wind turbine generated electricity via the onshore substation at Heysham, Lancashire. Terry Balmer, technical services manager at Hanson Concrete, explains.
Gas
The future role of gas
The future role of Cadent's gas network, the innovations they are using now and what their plans for the future are.
Gas
Keeping networks safe
The changing face of networks could allow hackers more opportunities to target the UK's major power companies. Greg Pitcher explores the issues.
Power
IEC 61850 and the revolution in substation communications
In this CPD-accredited article, produced in association with Schneider Electric, Network looks at the latest developments in peer-to-peer communications for power networks.
Power
Unifying communications to combat cyberthreats
Reviewing communication networks is key to protecting the nation's critical utility infrastructures, argues SmartUC's Mike Norfield.
Heat
Blind spot: Why telecoms must not be overlooked in the pursuit of smart grids
Network operators are relying on communications solutions that are neither reliable or secure, explains WHP Telecoms.
Gas
Tomorrow’s energy storage
Network looks at up and coming energy storage technologies.
Gas
Trending; robotics, modelling and analytics and decentralised energy
Technological advances are changing the face of energy networks and allowing them to respond in new ways to existing and unprecedented challenges. In this technology round-up, Network examines three trends making a big impact on network operations today.
Technology & Operations
Electricity storage: a new business case perspective
Understanding the commercial opportunities of storage is a real challenge but work is under way to clear the fog for investors and new entrants.
Heat
Heat Interface Units: efficiency and performance expectations
Heat Interface Units are integral elements in any heat network, but they are also often a source of inefficiency and confused expectations shows a project funded by the department of Energy and Climate Change.
Gas
The heat is on: The Smart Systems and Heat Programme
Decarbonisation targets demand a 50-fold ramp up in the conversion of domestic properties to low carbon heating. The Smart Systems and Heat programme will set out how this can be achieved.
Heat
Riding out the storm: Using weather data to prepare for climate change
Climate change will bring new and increasing challenges for network operators, but a new source of earth system data will help them thrive in adversity.
Power
Energy Potential: emerging applications of energy storage
The energy storage market is at a tipping point with technologies rapidly proving their worth and business models for deployment taking shape.