As the Low Carbon Networks & Innovation Conference held by the Energy Networks Association and SP Energy Networks moved into a second day, the focus turned from the broader policy agenda of day one’s key note speeches to detailed dissemination of both ongoing and conlcuded innovation projects across both electricity and gas.
Small breakout groups focused on key themes within smart networks, such as resilience, decarbonisation, flexibility and customer engagement, offering a glimpse into the future for delegates.
It was clear from the presentations that although important work is ongoing and the vision of the future is becoming ever clearer, the direction of travel is not certain and delegate feedback on where to go next was as key a part of the conversation as the findings.
Delegates were asked: are we looking at the right things? What shall we look at next? What are you doing in your own network that we haven’t adopted and we should?
In the keynote speeches on day one, twice the point was made that past visions of heating and transport becoming increasingly electrified are no longer seen as practical, revealing a future for gas networks. On day two it was revealed that future is focused on decarbonisation.
Key points made included:
- Gas lacks the breakthrough technologies needed to meet 2050 targets
- To be customer focused networks must provide flexibility
Breakthrough technologies
Wales and West Utilities’ project at Bridgend backed up day one’s conclusion, showing that low carbon electricity generation is not capable of meeting the projected peak capacity needed if heating and transport were to be electrified.
Due to this some of the options being considered within the Department for Energy and Climate Change pathways for heat are not practical without adding carbon and cost.
But there are no single breakthrough technology capable of achieving the 80 per cent carbon reduction target of 2050. The NIA and NIC are therefore key enablers in achieving a combination of solutions, such as hydrogen fuel cells.
Flexibility in gas
A quick response is now a requirement from network operators, not just a desire. Generators are looking for responses that are no longer compatible with the hour notification times expected by DNOs for changes in generation.
Without these quick response times these distributed generators are unable to meet their contracts, so to be truly customer focused gas DNOs must look to change. Delegates were told that although preparation has already been made on this, the situation needs to be looked at from a wider perspective.
Concerns were raised that although there has been a surge in biomethane generation in the last two years, the strict entry requirements left as a legacy of natural gas are presenting a barrier to future connections. Further analysis is needed on regulation to ensure entry remains possible.
Electricity transmission
All the talk from day two wasn’t about gas. Delegates also heard how electric vehicles and heat pumps could contribute significantly to demand response by 2030. Heat pumps would require a redesign to be capable of responding fast enough and a communication standard is lacking but no fundamental restraints have been identified by National Grid.
However the benefits to consumers is massively diluted by the number of assets, meaning each customer that allowed their vehicle charging to be interrupted or shifted would only benefit by £26 a year.