Smart Grids have been identified as a key enabler in the reduction of climate emissions and to reduce climate change. To enable the smart grid network the development of a reliable cyber-secure national wide area radio access network, independent of the public mobile operators, is needed to meet the demand for the control, protection and management of utility assets. The National Radio Access Network project will involve the development of a dedicated wireless network for the reliable transport of data for future smart grid applications.

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.

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.

The project aims to review the current ESB Networks planning and security of supply standard and update and evolve these standards to ensure that they facilitate the objectives of the ESB Networks Innovation Strategy. These novel standards will take account of the requirements of binding National and EU Energy Directives and Network Codes, whilst cost effectively maintaining a safe, secure and reliable distribution system. These  novel standards will facilitate the introduction of non secured access for distributed generators and non wires alternative solutions.

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.

Innovation Strategy Progress Report - Intelligent Secondary Substation Monitoring (Winter Peak) Download PDF | 305 KB

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%.

Innovation Strategy Close Out Report – New RoCoF settings for Distributed Generators Download PDF | 153KB

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. 

The provision of DS3 system services from Distribution Energy Resources (DER) ensures frequency and voltage stability on the transmission network. These system services or flexibility products are typically provided by existing generation and demand customers who are connected to the distribution network. This project entailed necessary learning, procedures, modelling and testing to enable the advance technical assessment by ESB Networks to detect any adverse impacts on distribution network planning or operations from the provision of DS3 System Services.

Innovation Strategy Close Out Report – Facilitation of Fast DS3 System Services Downloads PDF | 310KB

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. 

The aim of this H2020 project was to design, develop and validate, an adaptable security framework on small scale field trials. This framework showed how risks of cyber threats and attacks were reduced when metering systems are deployed as part of grid applications. The SUCCESS project developed three use cases which incorporated security, resilience, survivability and privacy. The Irish trial site performed the use case emulating the mass attack on EV chargers.

Innovation Strategy Close Out Report - SUCCESS – Cyber Security in Future Networks An EU Funded H2020 Project Download PDF | 368KB

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. 

Intermittent Faults on Low Voltage (LV) underground networks cause temporary loss of supply to customers. Due to the nature of these intermittent faults they have proved difficult to locate. ESB Networks planned on using the REZAP Vacuum Circuit breaker and BIDOYNG smart fuse, from Kelvatek, to improve LV performance as part of the Smart Grid MV/LV Control Operation trial. This aimed to deliver improved continuity and customer satisfaction.

Innovation Strategy Close Out Report - Innovative LV Auto-Reclosing on Intermittent Faults to Reduce Customer Outages Download PDF | 381KB