About the Author
David Greenwood is a research associate at Newcastle University. His work focusses on solving problems caused by uncertainty and variability and harnessing the value of emerging flexible technologies. He has worked on projects funded by industry and the UK research councils, most recently the Smarter Network Storage project, run by UK Power Networks, and Energy Storage for Low Carbon Grids, funded by EPSRC.
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There has been a lot of interest in the UK about the need to transition to a smart flexible energy system, but what does this really mean, why do we need it, and how do we make it happen?
Flexibility refers to the ability to adapt to accommodate a change in circumstance; to bend without breaking. In an energy system, this means being ready to adjust the system operation in the face of increased uncertainty and reduced reliance on asset based redundancy. This is, in part, a response to the Energy Trilemma: the need for reliable, sustainable, affordable energy. Renewable energy has led to a less predictable supply, which necessitates either a high level of back-up from conventional generation, or a change in operation to allow us to absorb the variability.
Smart technology
Smart technology – which enables an increase in monitoring and control throughout the energy system – is key to enabling this flexibility. It is anticipated that we will increasingly move demand to meet supply; store energy and release it when it is needed; and reconfigure our networks to meet shifting requirements. Some suspect that smart technology could lead to increased vulnerability to cyber-attacks, but we believe that this increased awareness will allow us to better protect both new smart interventions, and vulnerabilities in the existing systems. One of the goals of CESI is to address these questions using a cyber-physical systems approach, and drawing on expertise from both Smart Grid and Computer Science experts.
Delivery
The technology to deliver a smart, flexible energy system largely exists; the key challenges now are to do with regulation and attitudes – encompassing everyone from industry stakeholders to domestic customers. We need to demonstrate that these approaches work in order to build confidence; we need to design regulations which are simple to apply, but allow flexibility to be evaluated in the same terms as conventional assets and approaches; we need to provide market arrangements which align the priorities of flexibility providers with the requirements of the system; and we need to engage customers, and show how they can benefit from providing flexibility.
As we stated in our response to the recent OFGEM call for evidence on this topic, a whole systems approach, with comprehensive demonstration, is required to build confidence in flexibility, and ensure that new methods can operate in synergy with one another. This approach is at the heart of CESI, and will allow us to provide that confidence, and help ensure that a smart, flexible energy system becomes a reality.
Contact Author
Dr David Greenwood
Research Associate
Electric Power Systems Research Group
School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Newcastle University
- Email: david.greenwood@ncl.ac.uk
- Telephone: 0191 2083409
- http://www.ncl.ac.uk/eee/staff/profile/davidgreenwood.html#background