RP7 Stakeholder Consultation WEB - Flipbook - Page 25
4.2.2Step 2: Monitoring at all
voltage levels
We use our scenario forecasting
and modelling to identify likely future
network constraints; however, aside
from very small assets, which cannot
accommodate even one LCT, we plan
on using our forecasting and modelling
to identify where to install monitoring
devices to provide greater certainty in
where to reinforce; particularly on the
Low Voltage (LV) network where we
have very little monitoring currently.
We can then use the real time data
from the devices to closely monitor
load growth and optimally trigger
investment decisions. Monitoring will
also enable the roll out of customer and
network flexibility, greater data analytics
capability and provide improved asset
condition information. Without this
information, we will have to make
conservative assumptions ultimately
leading to higher overall investment
costs.
In the future, if the Department for the
Economy decides to roll out smart
meters across Northern Ireland these
will provide additional visibility of the
LV network which will support network
planning and operation. However,
smart meters are not a replacement
for network monitoring but rather
complementary. Our DNO colleagues
in GB, who also have a substantial
smart meter penetration, as part of
their business plans are proposing
on average to increase their rollout of
network monitors to approximately 52%
of the LV network by 2028.
Locally, we believe that a targeted
coverage of 50% of our LV network
in RP7 (2031) will ensure that we are
able to identify most of the network
constraints and proactively address
them in the right time and at the right
cost. However, it is likely that in some
circumstances network constraints
could materialise in areas with no
monitoring as customers connect LCTs
faster than our forecasts suggest.
In this scenario the local customers
are likely to receive significantly more
outages until we react to upgrade the
local network – this could take several
months.
Q4. Do you think fitting monitors
on 50% of our LV network is
appropriate or should we aim for
higher?
As reference, moving to 100%
coverage – which would further
improve our ability to keep ahead of
investment needs on the LV network
– would increase our baseline costs,
adding around 57 pence to the average
annual domestic electricity bill during
RP7. For our commercial customers
this represents an annual amount
between £2.35 for a small business
and £35 for a medium business.
Appendix 2 includes a summary table
outlining the bill impact associated with
these questions for all categories of
customer including Large Energy Users
(LEUs).
We also recognise that the data
obtained from monitoring devices
can be of significant value to our
stakeholders, so where we can, we
will make it ‘open’ and available for use
by others.
Q5. Have a look at our proof of
concept ‘Open Data Portal’ and
let us know what you think.
NIE Networks’ Open Data Portal
RP7 Stakeholder Consultation
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