RP7 Stakeholder Consultation WEB - Flipbook - Page 9
Facilitating net zero through
a flexible and integrated
energy system
The RP7 period will be a critical initial
step to enable the transformation of
the electricity network necessary to
facilitate a net zero carbon future.
By delivering an innovative, dynamic
and integrated distribution system that
can flex in response to supply and
demand, our customers will benefit from
faster and cheaper access to network
capacity. This will also enable uptake
of LCTs at least cost, whilst retaining
flexibility in the network for future
changes in customer demands.
Furthermore, to deliver a network
capable of facilitating a net zero carbon
society at least cost, we will need to
adopt a new, four-step approach to
network reinforcement:
•Step 1: extensive forecasting and
modelling. This will enable us to
proactively identify demand and
generation hotspots and areas of
likely future network constraints.
•Step 2: monitoring at all voltage
levels. Using monitors on our
low voltage networks to closely
observe increases in actual demand
and generation will enable us to
determine the optimum intervention
option at the optimum time.
•Step 3: apply “flexibility first”. We will
test the market in advance to see if
a coordinated localised change in
demand or generation can negate
the need to invest in increased
network capacity.
•Step 4: touch the network once. If
or when the optimum solution is to
make a conventional investment in
the network, we will seek to futureproof it as far as possible so that the
solution implemented will work in the
long-term.
RP7 Stakeholder Consultation
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