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Two Energy Storage and Distribution projects announced

27 November 2009

27th November 2009


ETI announces two projects to identify the challenges and solutions of collecting and distributing electricity from renewable sources in the UK


The challenges and opportunities of collecting and distributing more electricity from renewable sources in the UK are to be investigated in two projects launched by the Energy Technologies Institute (ETI).


Large-scale offshore renewable energy farms, including wind, tidal stream and wave energy systems are likely to play an increasingly significant role in enabling the UK to meet its long-term CO2 emissions reduction targets.


However, the development and installation of large renewable energy farms off the coast of the UK raises a number of challenges. These include the collection of electrical energy offshore from individual and multiple renewable energy farms, the transportation of bulk electrical energy generated by these offshore farms to the UK shoreline and the connection and integration of these offshore farms into the onshore power system.


The Offshore Connection project will examine the specific challenges and opportunities arising from the connection of offshore energy to the UK grid system and consider the impact of large-scale offshore development. It will also look at novel electrical system designs and control strategies that could be developed to collect, manage and transmit energy back to shore and will identify and assess innovative technology solutions to these issues and will quantify their benefits.


The project will last approximately seven months and will be carried out by consultants Sinclair Knight Merz, on behalf of the ETI.


In addition to the challenges offshore, the existing onshore transmission and distribution system has little spare capacity to cope with widespread changes in generation patterns and their changing performance characteristics. The increase in renewable energy sources will have a major impact on the volume and location of power flows throughout the network.


The Network Capacity project will identify and assess new technology solutions that could enhance transmission and distribution capacity in the UK. It will assess the feasibility and quantify the benefits of using innovative approaches and novel technologies to provide improved management of power flows and increased capacity, enabling the increasing deployment of renewable energy sources in the UK.


The project will last approximately seven months and will be carried out by consultants Mott MacDonald, on behalf of the ETI.


ETI Chief Executive Dr David Clarke said: "The UK has set ambitious growth targets for offshore renewables and the ETI has already announced a number of wind and marine projects designed to accelerate this growth.
We also need to consider new approaches to the connection, integration and management of offshore renewable energy farms as more sites are developed, to enable economic connection with security and quality of supply. And, as an increasing amount of our energy is generated from renewable sources we have to look at the impact on the electricity transmission and distribution systems to ensure the system can cope with future demands. These projects will help the ETI make informed strategic decisions on the technology development and demonstration projects it could provide in this area as part of its Energy Storage and Distribution Programme."


Dr. Paul Espie, manager of the SKM UK power group said: "The Offshore Connection project is a great opportunity to identify novel offshore electrical equipment technologies and applications, which should facilitate increased offshore renewable generation and help the UK to meet its renewable targets. SKM is pleased to be undertaking this project on behalf of the ETI and we look forward to delivering successful project outcomes for the benefit of the ETI, its members, and the UK renewables industry."


Dr Keith McLeay, Business Development Director for Mott Macdonald said: "Grid systems are going to have to change faster than ever to meet the urgent requirements of the new low carbon world. Mott MacDonald and their associates will be using their leading expertise in the existing UK grid systems and their expert knowledge of new and smart technologies to identify areas of technology application that will allow the grid to evolve fast enough in the medium term."
The projects are the first to be announced under the ETI’s Energy Storage and Distribution Programme.
So far in 2009 the ETI has announced over £50 million worth of projects in offshore wind, marine, transport, carbon capture and storage, and distributed energy.


Notes to Editors.



  • The Energy Technologies Institute is a UK based company formed from global industries and the UK Government. The ETI brings together projects and partnerships that create affordable, reliable, clean energy for heat, power and transport.

  • The ETI’s six private members are BP, Caterpillar, EDF Energy, E.ON, Rolls-Royce and Shell. The UK Government has committed to match support for four further Members.  The ETI’s public funds are received from the Department for Business Innovation and Skills through the Technology Strategy Board and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). These organisations, together with the Department for Energy and Climate Change (DECC), are engaged directly in the ETI’s strategy and programme development.

  • The ETI will demonstrate technologies, develop knowledge, skills and supply-chains, inform the development of regulation, standards and policy, and so accelerate the deployment of affordable, secure low-carbon energy systems from 2020 to 2050.

  •  In selecting projects for funding, the ETI aims to achieve a number of key objectives, including demonstrating energy technologies and systems, improving energy usage, efficiency, supply and generation and developing knowledge, and supply chains.

  • Sinclair Knight Merz is a leading engineering, sciences and project delivery firm. SKM offers a broad range of services for the power sector providing business solutions throughout the whole life cycle of a project including feasibility and planning, design, implementation and project management, commissioning, operations and maintenance support and decommissioning. SKM has over 6,500 skilled professionals across Europe, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, New Zealand and South America.

  • Mott MacDonald is a global management, engineering and development consultancy. For more information, please visit www.mottmac.com  and www.power.mottmac.com


www.energytechnologies.co.uk


Contacts:


For further information or to request an interview please contact the ETI’s PR Manager Nigel Richardson on 01509 202084