Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is using data from smart meters to remotely map its network.
The distribution network operator (DNO) has developed an algorithm which analyses smart meter data to identify the unique voltage patterns of each consumer.
The company explained that each customer is connected to one of three separate wires, termed “phases”. As customers adopt low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicles or heat pumps, some phases have had significantly more load connected than others.
SSEN said this creates a “challenge” as it needs good quality data about the existing network to support the connections process for new customers. It frequently uses site visits as part of new connections requests, which can take up more time.
The new algorithm can process smart meter data, identifying the minute similarities between the voltage changes in each house.
“Grouping these together allows SSEN to work out remotely which phase each customer is connected to, without a single mile being driven. This information will support more efficient network management, allow more low-carbon technology to connect to the existing network, reduce energy loss from the local system and help speed the location of faults,” the company explained.
The DNO added that its improved visibility of its low voltage network will allow the more precise procurement of flexibility services.
Stewart Reid, head of future networks at SSEN, said: “The voltage variation of each phase on our network is almost like a fingerprint, a near-unique profile that can allow us to pinpoint precisely which part of our network a customer is connected to. This is allowing us to update our records remotely and automatically, which is a far more efficient way of gathering and maintaining this valuable data set.
“Customers will see the benefit, through quicker and more automated responses to requests for new connections and upgrades, speedier restoration of local network faults and more accurate supply interruption notifications. Ultimately better data allows us to run our network more efficiently, providing savings which are then shared with our customers.”