TPS and Northern Powergrid are developing an innovative solution and new technologies to help secure the electricity supply to isolated areas.

TPS and Northern Powergrid are developing an innovative solution and new technologies to help secure the electricity supply to isolated areas.

Left to right: Andrew Webster, Innovation Project Manager at Northern Powergrid, and Dr. Nigel Jakeman, Engineering & Business Development Director at TPS

Innovation is in the heart of the North East! Turbo Power Systems (“TPS”) is supporting Northern Powergrid’s initiative to increase the resilience of local power networks through the implementation of battery storage solutions and other low carbon technologies. Within this framework, TPS will focus on developing a new power electronic system under Northern Powergrid’s Active Network Management (ANM) program.

TPS’ commitment comes in response to Northern Powergrid’s initiative for increased resilience in areas that are more susceptible to power cuts due to their geographic nature (e.g. outlying coastal area) and commitment to improving its service for people in isolated communities.

TPS will implement a solution that meets the requirements of the low voltage (LV) network, a solution that is based on its award winning Dual-Terminal PED (Power Electronic Device). The Dual PED has already been successfully trialled by UK Power Networks in London and Brighton as a Soft Open Point by interconnecting two LV networks at Normally Open Point locations. This means that, for the first time ever, two substations were capable of sharing power automatically using a power electronic device and this was just one of the benefits amongst all others created.

TPS’ Dual PED design will be enhanced to achieve the functional and connectivity requirements of Northern Powergrid’s ANM system. Within this project, TPS’ objective is to identify and build an integrated solution with connectivity capability to the network’s highly efficient communication architecture, whilst capturing the proven benefits and value engineering from the earlier Dual PED delivery.

Within this project, TPS and Northern Powergrid will also establish the further developments required to produce a preliminary design for managing local LV AC and LV DC networks. The ultimate goal is to develop and implement a new PED technology that will replace the current 11kV/400V transformers in the networks, and fully integrate with the ANM scheme to secure the supply of mains quality electricity in isolated locations.

Dr. Nigel Jakeman, TPS Engineering & Business Development Director, commented:

“This is a forward-thinking initiative and we’re happy to be working with Northern Powergrid to help deliver improvements that will benefit customers. Power Electronics is a pivotal element in the electricity distribution network of tomorrow and this program demonstrates the key role it can play in securing supply even in the most vulnerable of locations.”

Iain Miller, Head of Innovation at Northern Powergrid, said:

“We’re focused on driving forward innovations that can make a difference for our customers and this is a potential game changer. The equipment being developed with TPS and control systems being developed with Smarter Grid Solutions won’t merely restore electricity to customers after a fault on the grid; they will prevent customers going off in the first place. As we become more and more electricity dependent in our everyday lives that is really exciting.

“This project could also provide the groundwork to enable our customers to engage more fully with our network through new capabilities, such as peer-to-peer trading. We’re thrilled that this project will improve the lives of electricity customers who may experience more power cuts due to the geographic nature of the community where they live.”

For further information, please contact:

Nigel Jakeman, Engineering & Business Development Director

+44 (0) 191 482 9240 / njakeman@tps.urdev.co.uk

Or

Ioana Briciu, Marketing Assistant

+44 (0) 191 482 9278 / ibriciu@turbopowersytems.com

Or

Rosie Williams, Northern Powergrid PR Account Manager

+44 (0) 7990788411 / rosie.williams@greenhousepr.co.uk