Energy experts call for re-think of UK's electricity network

Energy experts brought together by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) says that new ‘whole system’ thinking is needed for the power grid to meet complex new requirements resulting from decarbonisation, including the introduction of electric vehicles.

 

The findings are included in a new report 'Electricity Networks: Handling a Shock to the System'. The report says that the electricity network will face unprecedented change in the next 20 years. Decarbonisation of energy is probably the biggest peace-time change to national infrastructure that the UK will have seen. Ensuring the future stability of the grid while creating a system that can deal with two-way local power flows and less-predictable generation and new demands such as charging of electric vehicles will be a big challenge.

 

The report says that there should be focus on identifying a ‘systems architect’ role to ensure a holistic approach to adapting the power grid.

 

The IET has brought together experts from industry, government and the regulator in a group – Power Network Joint Vision (PNJV) – to share learning and knowledge and identify long-term and cost-effective solutions to this challenge. 

 

PNJV Chair, IET Fellow Dr Simon Harrison, said: “We have an opportunity to act in ways which reduce cost and create worldwide opportunity for innovation and UK leadership. The scale and complexity of the challenges ahead is new, and potentially even greater than when the national grid was first developed in the 1930s. Fresh thinking is needed.”