SSEN to develop system planning tool for a holistic net zero

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) and Dundee City Council have agreed to partner on the Regional Energy System Optimisation Planning (RESOP) project to develop a whole system planning tool and support the city’s green economic recovery and net zero ambitions.

The RESOP project will assist the city in reaching its net zero goals by assessing the impact of plans on the local electricity network.

The British energy company stated how RESOP will allow the best whole system solution to be developed, taking into account a wide range of assets and infrastructure, to meet the needs of the city while delivering best value for communities.

The tool will be able to model likely outcomes of future scenarios, thereby supporting better informed local decision-making, which will be fundamental in securing sustainable economic growth.

According to SSEN, to fully decarbonise heat and transport by electrification, better information is needed to ensure network operators can manage new demand. Equally, low carbon technologies have a valuable role in helping balance the network by providing flexibility at key times.

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This project announcement follows the publication of SSE’s Greenprint, the five point action plan to help the economy rebound from the impact of coronavirus whilst taking action to meet net zero targets.

The Greenprint calls for communities to be empowered in the net zero transition through deployment of Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs).

The RESOP tool will, according to SSESN, be instrumental in giving local communities a greater say in their energy future and helping to accelerate the decarbonisation of heat and transport.

Stewart Reid, head of future networks for SSEN stated on the RESOP project: “Once operational, SSEN intends to make the tool more widely available, to support other local authorities with their own decision making and to help them to meet their increasingly ambitious net zero targets.”

Councillor John Alexander, leader of Dundee City Council, added: “Making sure that the right decisions and infrastructure are established will put us on the best footing for a lasting green recovery and one that creates long-term benefits and local resilience.

“We are delighted to be working with SSEN on the RESOP Project to develop the ways that will give us insight into how to do that.”

RESOP is funded by £343,000 ($406,392) from Ofgem’s Network Innovation Allowance (NIA).