SSEN has developed a smart meter data algorithm for distribution insights
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has developed an algorithm that can process smart meter data and identify minute similarities between voltage changes, improving their visibility across the distribution network.
This information is hoped to support more efficient network management, allow more low-carbon technology to connect to the existing network, reduce energy loss from the local system and help speed up the location of faults.
The utility, which coordinates distribution and transmission networks across the north of Scotland and central southern England, touts the algorithm as an immense improvement on their data collection process, which until now has mainly involved frequent site visits.
SSEN’s local electricity cables have three separate wires, termed ‘phases’, with each customer connected to one.
Over time, some phases have had significantly more load connected than others, as customers adopt low-carbon technologies such as car chargers or heat pumps. This creates a challenge for SSEN as the local network operator, as good quality data about the existing network is essential to support an efficient connections process for new customers.
Nearly half of SSEN’s customers in its licence areas now have smart meters installed, which log the voltage at each house to ensure customers are receiving the right power quality.
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According to SSEN, with the algorithm, rather than relying on frequent site visits, their teams can process smart meter data and identify minute similarities between voltage changes in each house, working out remotely which phase each customer is connected to without a single mile being driven.
Stewart Reid, head of future networks at SSEN, said: “The voltage variation of each phase on our network is almost like a fingerprint, a near-unique profile that can allow us to pinpoint precisely which part of our network a customer is connected to. This is allowing us to update our records remotely and automatically, which is a far more efficient way of gathering and maintaining this valuable data set.
“Customers will see the benefit, through quicker and more automated responses to requests for new connections and upgrades, speedier restoration of local network faults and more accurate supply interruption notifications. Ultimately better data allows us to run our network more efficiently, providing savings which are then shared with our customers.”
Better network data will also support the more targeted deployment of new flexibility services which will help support a fully decarbonised electricity system by 2035.
SSEN’s improved visibility of its low voltage network will allow the more precise procurement of flexibility services and other new solutions that are emerging. Flexibility has the potential to reduce the costs of the UK energy system by up to £10bn ($12.4 billion) per year by 2050 and could create 24,000 jobs in the process; improved use of data will be core to the delivery of those benefits.
