The SPRINT Project aims to enhance the protection and efficiency of High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) networks by integrating Superconducting Fault Current Limiters (SFCLs). This innovative approach seeks to address the limitations of existing fault current management techniques, which rely on costly and space-consuming DC reactors. By leveraging SFCL technology, the Project aims to reduce fault current peaks, lower energy dissipation, and improve system stability. The collaboration between Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc, SuperGrid Institute, and the National HVDC Centre ensures a blend of cutting-edge research and practical implementation, fostering advancements in HVDC grid protection.
The ODIN Project aims to develop automated methods for interpreting and diagnosing data collected from continuous monitoring of robots operating in high-voltage direct current halls. By leveraging modern advanced analytics, including machine learning and artificial intelligence, the Project will transition from the current labour-intensive process of manual data assessment, which lacks trend analysis for comparing against normal operating conditions. Through the application of artificial intelligence and machine learning, ODIN will uncover novel insights into high-voltage direct current asset behaviour, thereby improving operational efficiency, reliability and resilience to support the transition to a net-zero energy network.
The Winser report makes recommendations concerning faster delivery of new transmission infrastructure including standardisation and automation of route design for new transmission lines. This Project, in direct alignment with the Winser report, will examine the problems that need to be solved to address the recommendations concerning the process of route design and the automation of route design, accelerating the pace of network development to meet net zero goals. The Discovery Phase of this Project will identify and prioritise innovations for route design. Then, the Alpha Phase will develop a statement of requirements and plan for implementing innovative ideas as business-as-usual.
As the share of inverter-based resources, including renewable generation, increases, lower system strength can lead to uncontrolled voltage changes which can escalate to instability and risk widescale customer disconnections. To secure the Net Zero grid, Network Owners urgently need to monitor system strength conditions to implement the most effective and economic mitigations. At present, neither the requirements for system strength monitoring nor the possible hardware and digital solutions are well defined. The SYSMET Project brings together leading experts to create the pathway for confident implementation of measurement-based tools that provide comprehensive visibility of system strength status for operational decision making.
The primary focus of REVISE is revisiting the current methodology for assigning overhead line ratings. The calculation process uses historical environmental data captured in the 1980s that is applied uniformly across the UK disregarding local/regional climate variations. The existing transmission network is increasingly constrained by system capacity limits exacerbated by rapidly increasing renewable integration. Improving understanding of line ratings, using latest generation high-resolution weather topographic data combined with the latest techniques for system modelling, will allow for improved targeted investment to ensure we meet demand for the connection of new renewables to the network, and deliver a secure energy system.
Knowledge Transfer Partnership
To embed engaging work practices, flexible management processes and systemic capacity for the effective implementation of strategy and innovation initiatives that result in business targets being exceeded, particularly for decarbonisation.
The VALUES project seeks to combine environmental data sets to build a prototype Geographical Information System (GIS) based tool which will support identification of optimum routes for large scale corridor style infrastructure developments in terms of the social, economic and environmental cost of land-use change, and also identifies areas of high ecosystem services value where mitigation action would be of particular benefit.
In this business led collaborative project, infrastructure developer Scottish Hydro Electricity Transmission Plc, the North of Scotland Electricity Transmission system owner, is partnering with the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, Scotland’s environment regulator. Both partners are end users for the tool being developed. This innovative partnership, generally on opposing sides of project consenting, aims to promote shared understanding between the two by developing a common approach and joint tool. Other end users will be consulted through a programme of stakeholder engagement throughout the project.