Publications

The aim of the Heatmap project is to provide an interactive map showing the available network capacity in terms of how much demand or generation could be added into a substation without reinforcement.

Decarbonisation of the electrical network will see a significant impact on the Low Voltage (LV) network with the increasing integration of Low Carbon Technologies (LCTs) such as heat pumps, solar PV and Electric Vehicles. The effect on the LV network as a consequence of the integration of these new technologies is not yet fully understood. To gain valuable knowledge of these technologies, ESB Networks are trialling a number of different innovative monitoring devices to fully understand what is required to effectively monitor the LV network.

It is essential for ESB Networks to assess the advances in materials and technologies relating to network assets, and to understand how they can be deployed to optimise existing network assets.

This project, Introduction of Fibre Glass Stay Blocks investigated the testing of fibre glass as an innovative substitute for existing wood material stays for end and angle overhead line poles. It also investigated different wood types and various types of wood treatment. The project objective was to consider learnings in regard to material science characteristics, handling and installation requirements and life time versus cost.

As Ireland works meet its renewable energy targets, distributed generation assets will increasingly play a role in contributing to the national power supply. In order to ensure the security and sustainability of the system, EirGrid launched the DS3 Programme. As the DSO, ESB Networks is working with the TSO to deliver the DS3 through a number of programmes designed to deliver innovative technologies, processes and standards to ensure that non-synchronous generation from renewables such as wind, deliver maximum benefit and minimal disruption to the network and our customers. 

This project is a key enabler to ensure distributed generators are able to withstand system frequency changes driven by the increased amount of renewable generation connected to the network. In order to operate the power system with up to 75% of the instantaneous power coming from non-synchronous sources new Rate of Change of Frequency (RoCoF) relay settings are required for distributed generators. Failure to achieve this would have resulted in the ratio of non-synchronous generation on the system being capped at 60%, as opposed to the target of 75%.

As our customers choose technologies including air source heat pumps (ASHPs), storage heating, private electric vehicles (EVs), electric buses, freight and trains in ever higher numbers, greater demands will be placed on the network. 
ESB Networks must innovate in network planning and operation, to meet these new demands, without compromising our customers’ comfort, security or quality of supply, and at an economic cost reflecting our customers’ needs and values. 

Central to the electrification of heat and transport is to ensure the Low Voltage (LV) network can support and enable the increasing electrical demands from customers’ low carbon technologies. The project will deliver new and consistent design approaches for new and existing LV networks. This will support the economic integration of customers’ low carbon technologies and distribution energy resources such as electric vehicles, solar PV and heat pumps. This involved robust statistical analysis to derive new metrics, values and design tools for the LV network.

Traditionally, large fossil fuel based generation provided flexibility on our systems. New flexibility technologies such as energy storage, vehicle to grid (V2G), web based domestic control systems, Smart Meters, advanced information sensing, advanced data analytics and new supplier business models are now emerging to take the place plant of large fossil fuel generators and decarbonize flexibility. 
The aim of the Flexibility on Our Networks roadmap is to understand the impacts and the possibilities provided by the use of flexibility in the overall electrical energy system and also develop systems and processes that cost effectively enable the provision of flexibility from within the distribution network. 

Real Value was a H2020 project to investigate the impact of controllable electric heating to provide a more flexible network and a solution to Demand-Side Management (DSM) at Low Voltage (LV) level.  This allowed energy users of all kinds to act as “virtual power plants”. The project was completed in collaboration with Glen Dimplex, EirGrid, Intel, SSE, UCD and Oxford University and included physical demonstrations in Ireland, Germany and Latvia where the Smart Electric Thermal Storage (SETS) units were installed into 1,250 homes. 

RESERVE is an EU H2020 funded project with 10 other consortium partners to develop solutions capable of enabling 100% renewable generation on electricity networks. ESB Networks focused on Voltage Control techniques which utilise inverter-based technologies to provide voltage support to the distribution network. The project successfully demonstrated that a Voltage Control solution can be implemented in real world scenarios utilising multiple types of DER technologies, are inherently scalable, can be integrated with additional external monitoring devices and is capable of positively contributing towards the resolution of constraints encountered by the distribution network.

It is essential for ESB Networks to assess the advances in materials and technologies relating to network assets, and to understand how they can be deployed to optimise existing network assets.

This project implemented the rollout of Digital Polling Radio System for Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) communications to provide a nationwide resilient and secure UHF radio communications. The system connected 564 HV stations via 80 radio base stations and implemented a National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) approved cyber security standard for the encryption of electronic data. The Network Management system was commissioned to provide remote monitoring and management to enable fast resolution, a reduction in site visits by engineers and the provision of advanced notice of any system deteriorations. 

It is essential for ESB Networks to assess the advances in materials and technologies relating to network assets, and to understand how they can be deployed to optimise existing network assets.

SigFox is a low power telecommunications technology designed to provide low cost solutions which can be deployed in large volumes nationwide. The objective of the SigFox trial was to test and validate the performance of Sigfox technology for a variety of applications and services in a number of locations as part of a smart network. SigFox is part of the internet of things (IOT) for smart connected devices enabling intelligent networks.

As extreme weather events and cybersecurity threats become more frequent, and our economy electrifies, ESB Networks will need to build network resilience to mitigate disruption, ensure the security of supply. 

Sensitive Earth Faults (SEF) are difficult to detect as they have very low fault current values. During SEF operation, the protection device does not attempt to automatically reclose the circuit breaker to test if the fault conditions are still present. Customers remain off supply until the site is visited by ESB Networks staff.  The project’s aim was to trial innovative approaches to SEF to improve the continuity of electrical supply to customers.

Delivering a future-ready network service and ensuring operational excellence requires a deep understanding of where, how, when customers use the network, why faults occur, and having the ability to deploy solutions quickly. Central to these efforts is the empowering employees with the technology necessary to gather, manage and analyse network data. 

The safety of over 1,950 Network Technicians and over 1,000 other field staff who travel alone is paramount. In order to reduce the potential vulnerability of our staff working alone, ESB Networks introduced a safety device to provide extra reassurance. This project tested and assessed the suitability and associated integration into our digital system of the V.ALERT  lone working device to improve lone working safety in case of an emergency.

ESB Networks engaged in the IERC Co-ordinated Superhomes 2.0 project with four Irish based consortium partners in order to develop an understanding of the impact on the distribution network and electrical demand in general of ASHPs in newly retrofitted residential dwellings. We installed Advanced Metering Infrastructure at 20 diverse premises located throughout the country and leveraged this technology to gain an in-depth understanding of the seasonal and climate factors that impacted these premises’ energy requirements.