| Abstract |
The electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) systems in the UK have evolved incrementally over time in response to changing generation and demand patterns, with their original design topologies having been developed assuming a centralised energy delivery model, whereby bulk electrical power is generated by a relatively small number of very large power stations (e.g. coal, nuclear, etc) and is transmitted to customers via an interconnected electrical grid system.
To date,this approach has provided a secure energy delivery system, but has also resulted in the T&D system having little spare capacity to accommodate widespread changes in generation type and characteristics,or majorchanges in demand patterns.It is also clear that achieving the long-term government targets for CO2 emissions reduction and renewablepower generation technology installation will have a major impacton the volume and location of power flows throughout the UK’s T&D network. Managing thesechanges will provide significant challenges, especially given the difficulties and timescales associated with gaining consents for the construction of new overhead line infrastructure.
This project addresses the capacity of the UK’s onshore T&D systems. Offshore electrical systems are excluded from the scope of this project and are being addressed by a separate project. This project consists of two Work Packages:- Feasibility of new technology application:Assessment ofthe feasibility of using new technologies now emerging in the marketplace, and those in development, to provide increased T&D capacity and improved management of network power flows, in order to facilitate increasedrenewable energy installation levels in the UK.
- Feasibility of onshore multi-terminal HVDC:Assessment of the technical feasibility of an onshore multi-terminal HVDC systemdeployed in the UK, its performance when integrated with an existing AC gridnetwork, and the technology implications and benefits case for the conversion of existing AC lines to DC operation.
This document is the call for proposals for this project. |
