Stephen McArthur University of Strathclyde Academic Leadership and Research in Energy Networks

Evolution of EPSRC SUPERGEN EPSRC SUPERGEN Programme has: –Resulted in a collaborative environment and ethos for the UK’s research community in energy –Generated significant research outcomes in networks and related areas EPSRC SUPERGEN Hub in Energy Networks created which has: –Built on the previous successes of the Supergen programme –Refocused on underpinning science, moved towards sustainability and provided the research community with a vehicle for enhancing networks and smart grid collaborative research –Engaged a wider academic community, in particular information and communications technologies

HubNet – a hub for energy networks Community of Researchers Community of Research Users Opportunities For Collaborations Training New Researchers Positioning and Strategy Fundamental Research HubNet is a collaboration that seeks to provide a central focus to energy network research HubNet formed by the following universities: Bristol, Cardiff, Imperial College, Manchester, Nottingham, Southampton, Strathclyde and Warwick

HubNet Power Networks Research Academy Grand Challenge on Flexible Control Grand Challenge on Infrastructure Low Carbon Network Fund projects Grand Challenges in Storage Other research projects International links

HubNet - Research Investigate important disciplines for network evolution over the next 20 years: –Future Asset Technologies – materials science for higher capacity, lower loss cables and other assets –Managing Transition Assets – recognition of the need for deeper understanding of how long-life equipment is managed and monitored –Power Electronic Technologies – a focus on how new semiconductor technologies could lead to lower-cost, lower-loss power electronics suitable for wider-scale network deployment

HubNet - Research –Multi-Energy Systems – analysis of the roles and interactions of gas, electricity and heat networks and examination of how demand-side action can be maximised –The European SuperGrid – technology, planning and control innovation to create European interconnections for exploiting diversity in renewable energy –The Smart Grid – focus on communication and automation strategies and technologies for supporting full integration of demand, storage and generation in optimised network operation

HubNet – Position Papers Position Paper TopicStatus Smart Metering in the UKAvailable for download Smart Grid BlueprintDraft under review, released in December Smart Grid CommunicationsDraft under review, released in December Condition MonitoringWorkshop phase complete, analysis underway, draft early 2013 Role of Power Electronics in Distribution Workshop phase complete, interviews with DNOs planned, draft in 2013 Smart Metering Development and Operation Workshops in planning

Workshops Academic input Industrial input Policy input Analysis Position Papers RCUK Calls Industry focused calls Wider than traditional power community

Position Papers: to provide strategic direction for the Smart Grid research community: –A Smart Grid Blueprint: User and Functional Requirements –Flexible Techniques for Centralised and Distributed Control –Smart Grid communications Smart Grid Theme

Smart Grid Challenges vague definitions piecemeal approach verification & validation unproven scalability Smart Grid Challenges Vague Definitions Piecemeal Approach Verification & Validation Unproven Scalability Terms such as intelligence, flexibility, robustness are commonplace but ill-defined. Their qualification is necessary for testing the solutions. New standards must develop definitions or draw from existing standards through harmonisation.

Smart Grid Theme - Research Designing the Smart Grid Interactions between smart meters, smart grid and smart asset management An experimental demonstrator of some decentralised control will be formed. The functional specification developed will be used to drive interdisciplinary activities and workshops. Connecting the Smart Grid The availability, reliability and delays of the communication systems and networking protocols will have a profound effect on Smart Grid performance. Defining the required end-to-end performance of the communication system t through a scalable simulation platform for Smart Grid communications. Establishing a Business Case for the Smart Grid. Evaluation of the benefits and value proposition of alternative Smart Grid concepts and technologies under various future UK electricity system development scenarios. Risk and reliability: Reduction of the security margin through enhanced monitoring to achieve reliability Strategic Role and Business Case for Power Electronics The strategic role and value for power electronics will be evaluated.

Smart Grid Planes Power System Power Network Management (IT) Comms Network Domain functions & relationships QoS & Requirements Apps Network architectures and Comms technology

Large Scale Simulation of the Smart Grid’s ICT Plane

Annual Smart Grid Symposium 2013 HubNet Smart Grid Symposium Week beginning: 16th September, 2013 Location: Cardiff 2013 HubNet Smart Grid Symposium Week beginning: 16th September, 2013 Location: Cardiff

HubNet and the Grand Challenges will provide a complementary set of fundamental, applied and strategic research activities LCNF & HubNet EPSRC Grand Challenges Applied and strategic Fundamental research

The Electrical Layer The Information and Control Layer EPSRC Networks Grand Challenge: Preparing the UK’s Energy Infrastructure for 2050

Grand Challenge on Infrastructure: Top and Tail Transformation The greatest need and the greatest opportunities for new infrastructure technology are in a continental SuperGrid and in a reinvention of the final mile distribution.

Grand Challenge on Information and Control The Autonomic Power System  University Partners: Cambridge, Durham, Imperial College, Kings College London, Manchester, Strathclyde, Sussex  Multi-disciplinary: power systems, economics, computer science, artificial intelligence, social policy, mathematics, complexity  Industrial Partners: Accenture, Agilent, E.On, IBM, KEMA, Mott MacDonald, PB Power, National Grid, SSE

Definition of control functionality Distributed control approaches Flexible zones of control Including: Storage Real time/dynamic ratings Electric vehicles Micro generation Self* Network Operation and Control

Distributed control approaches Including: Storage Real time/dynamic ratings Electric vehicles Micro generation Multi-agent system architecture for Active Network Management (Strathclyde) Discrete algorithms for voltage control, thermal constraint management, etc. Integration within an agent based message passing architecture Distributed Constraint Optimisation Problems (Strathclyde) Fully decentralised Optimisation Integration of multiple constraints and control requirements Flexibility in terms of changing constraints as the network evolves AI Planning (Durham and Kings College) Adding temporal aspects to the control problem Predictive and proactive Flexibility in terms of changing plans as the network conditions change or as the network evolves

Community of Researchers Community of Research Users Opportunities For Collaborations Training New Researchers Positioning and Strategy Fundamental Research