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A UK Power Networks project which aims to enable cheaper and faster integration of renewable generation such as wind power, into the electricity distribution network has today been awarded £6.7 million of funding in a competitive bid process run by Ofgem.
The Flexible Plug and Play (FPP) Low Carbon Networks project will trial innovative technical and commercial solutions to provide the most flexible and cost effective means of connecting renewable generation to the distribution network in an area of around 700km2 between Peterborough, March and Wisbech in Cambridgeshire.
It is the second year running UK Power Networks has been successful in Ofgem’s Low Carbon Networks Fund competition.
The FPP project will trial a number of innovations which will make best use of the existing network and allow real-time management of network constraints. The project will also develop an investment modelling tool that will determine the optimum network investment from both an economic and carbon emission perspective.
Renewable generation is at the heart of the UK Low Carbon Transition plan. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has set an ambitious target for 30% of the UK's electricity to be generated from renewable energy sources by 2030 and UK Power Network’s Flexible Plug and Play Low Carbon Networks project will play an important part in helping to achieve this goal.
Within the project area there are nine operational wind farms with a total installed capacity of 100MW. A further ten renewable generation sites have either won consent or are at the submission stage with an additional ten sites currently subject to scoping studies. The FPP project will ensure that at every stage of the project interested parties, such as local authorities and renewable generation developers, will be able to contribute to and learn from the FPP project.
Ben Wilson, Director of Strategy and Regulation, and Chief Financial Officer said: “The success of this bid is tremendous news as it supports our aspirations to be a low carbon leader. UK Power Networks is fully committed to playing a key role in enabling the transition to a low carbon future. The provision of cheaper and faster connections of renewable generation is at the centre of the FPP project, which should directly benefit renewable generation developers and local authorities, and will support the Government’s goal for carbon emission reduction.
“Lessons learned from the project will be of value to all electricity network operators faced with the challenge of high concentrations of renewable generation, as the project will demonstrate how the deployment of smart grid solutions can result in faster and more economic connections.”
The Flexible Plug and Play project will run from January 2012 to December 2014 and cost £9.7 million in total, with £6.7 million being awarded by Ofgem, £2 million coming from UK Power Networks and £1 million from its project partners Cable & Wireless Worldwide, Alstom, Silver Spring Networks, Smarter Grid Solutions, GL Garrad Hassan, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Institution of Engineering and Technology, Fundamentals, S&C Electric Company and Converteam - all of whom have been chosen for their experience, expertise and innovation culture.
Ofgem’s annual Low Carbon Networks Fund Second Tier competition awards up to £64million to help fund a small number of flagship projects. This year’s competition attracted six full project proposals from distribution network operators.
Last year four projects were awarded Second Tier funding and they included Low Carbon London, a £30million project led by UK Power Networks. Its aim is to use London as a test bed to develop a smarter electricity network that can manage the demands of a low carbon economy and deliver reliable, sustainable low carbon electricity to businesses, residents and communities. The programme is exploring how to combine new technology and commercial innovation – such as localised generation, electric vehicles, heat pumps, smart meters, time of use tariffs and responsive demand services – to support a low carbon energy economy.
Ends
For further information including more technical detail about the project, please contact Philip Spiby or Tracey Sparling in the UK Power Networks press office on 08701 962504.
Notes to Editors
UK Power Networks provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population through its electricity distribution networks. We’re responsible for delivering a safe, secure and sustainable power supply to eight million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England. The company, backed by strong ownership, aims to strengthen links with the local communities we serve, building on the skills base of the 5,500 people who work for us across the network including our major bases in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Potters Bar, London, Crawley and Maidstone.
The Flexible Plug and Play (FPP) Low Carbon Networks project will trial innovative technical and commercial solutions to provide the most flexible and cost effective means of connecting renewable generation to the distribution network in an area of around 700km2 between Peterborough, March and Wisbech in Cambridgeshire.
It is the second year running UK Power Networks has been successful in Ofgem’s Low Carbon Networks Fund competition.
The FPP project will trial a number of innovations which will make best use of the existing network and allow real-time management of network constraints. The project will also develop an investment modelling tool that will determine the optimum network investment from both an economic and carbon emission perspective.
Renewable generation is at the heart of the UK Low Carbon Transition plan. The Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) has set an ambitious target for 30% of the UK's electricity to be generated from renewable energy sources by 2030 and UK Power Network’s Flexible Plug and Play Low Carbon Networks project will play an important part in helping to achieve this goal.
Within the project area there are nine operational wind farms with a total installed capacity of 100MW. A further ten renewable generation sites have either won consent or are at the submission stage with an additional ten sites currently subject to scoping studies. The FPP project will ensure that at every stage of the project interested parties, such as local authorities and renewable generation developers, will be able to contribute to and learn from the FPP project.
Ben Wilson, Director of Strategy and Regulation, and Chief Financial Officer said: “The success of this bid is tremendous news as it supports our aspirations to be a low carbon leader. UK Power Networks is fully committed to playing a key role in enabling the transition to a low carbon future. The provision of cheaper and faster connections of renewable generation is at the centre of the FPP project, which should directly benefit renewable generation developers and local authorities, and will support the Government’s goal for carbon emission reduction.
“Lessons learned from the project will be of value to all electricity network operators faced with the challenge of high concentrations of renewable generation, as the project will demonstrate how the deployment of smart grid solutions can result in faster and more economic connections.”
The Flexible Plug and Play project will run from January 2012 to December 2014 and cost £9.7 million in total, with £6.7 million being awarded by Ofgem, £2 million coming from UK Power Networks and £1 million from its project partners Cable & Wireless Worldwide, Alstom, Silver Spring Networks, Smarter Grid Solutions, GL Garrad Hassan, University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, Institution of Engineering and Technology, Fundamentals, S&C Electric Company and Converteam - all of whom have been chosen for their experience, expertise and innovation culture.
Ofgem’s annual Low Carbon Networks Fund Second Tier competition awards up to £64million to help fund a small number of flagship projects. This year’s competition attracted six full project proposals from distribution network operators.
Last year four projects were awarded Second Tier funding and they included Low Carbon London, a £30million project led by UK Power Networks. Its aim is to use London as a test bed to develop a smarter electricity network that can manage the demands of a low carbon economy and deliver reliable, sustainable low carbon electricity to businesses, residents and communities. The programme is exploring how to combine new technology and commercial innovation – such as localised generation, electric vehicles, heat pumps, smart meters, time of use tariffs and responsive demand services – to support a low carbon energy economy.
Ends
For further information including more technical detail about the project, please contact Philip Spiby or Tracey Sparling in the UK Power Networks press office on 08701 962504.
Notes to Editors
UK Power Networks provides power to a quarter of the UK’s population through its electricity distribution networks. We’re responsible for delivering a safe, secure and sustainable power supply to eight million homes and businesses across London, the South East and East of England. The company, backed by strong ownership, aims to strengthen links with the local communities we serve, building on the skills base of the 5,500 people who work for us across the network including our major bases in Bury St Edmunds, Ipswich, Potters Bar, London, Crawley and Maidstone.
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© 2013 Cambridge Cleantech
Citylife House
Sturton Street
Cambridge
CB1 2QF
Tel. 01223 750017
Email. admin@cambridgecleantech.org.uk
© 2013 Cambridge Cleantech
