Ofgem and UKPN

We’ve collaborated with Ofgem and UKPN on a revolutionary research project to release spare network capacity and significantly reduce customer bills whilst achieving a greener electricity supply by 2030. The project trials a responsive and automated electricity network that will release spare capacity to where the demand requires. This will be made possible using power electronic devices to move electricity from heavily loaded substations to nearby substations with spare capacity.

Using our smart grid converters will provide the hardware platform for Active Response. Creating Soft Open Points on both the low and medium-voltage network will enable the power in each substation feed to be balanced whilst maintaining supply voltage within statutory limits. Active Response constitutes a pioneering approach that can proactively move spare capacity around the distribution system to support areas that are using more electricity.