Sustainable energy systems planning and regulation

We provide world-leading, smart-grid solutions to optimise connections and network performance. It includes:

• Least-cost generation expansion planning studies
• Appraising heat and electricity generation projects from conventional fuels (such as coal and oil) and renewable energy sources (such as wind, hydro, solar and biomass)
• Electricity system planning (generation, transmission and distribution)
• Master planning/integrated resource planning (IRP) studies.
• Supply/demand forecasting (including consideration of demand-side management)
• Power system operations support - generation scheduling, automatic generation control, operating reserves, ancillary services, frequency control, under-frequency load shedding, governor control, technical training and smart grids
• Energy investment analysis
• Utility asset planning and optimisation
• Rural electrification - design of funding and tariff mechanisms, and commercial arrangements

We have extensive experience supporting the development of self-healing and smart grid electricity networks. Our team consists of world leading experts with a deep understanding of the technical and economic challenges associated with the development of intelligent networks, both in the context of urban energy systems as a whole and in rural and off-grid settings. 

• Needs-assessment study on energy efficiency proposals in the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP) - reviewing, identifying and prioritising energy efficiency measures to be implemented at a regional level to address capacity constraints
• Amaila Falls Hydroelectric Project in Guyana - undertaking market due diligence, operational assessment and financial due diligence for a potential investor
• Eskom power stations in South Africa - this project involved providing training for Eskom engineers on frequency control, voltage control, governor modelling and automatic voltage regulator (AVR) modelling, followed by testing units and developing governor and AVR models for Eskom coal-fired units

Specifying innovative solutions to improve system reliability and resilience. This includes advice on innovation funding applications and associated business cases.

In addition to providing technical advice, our experts also have experience facilitating collaborative ventures (bringing together academic institutions, major manufacturers, utilities and investors) on ground break projects, which will shape the future of the energy industry. 

Strategy advice on the development of future networks, as well as comprehensive support for technology investment.

• Strategy advice on the development of future networks
• Specifying innovative solutions to improve system reliability and resilience
• Technology evaluation
• Scoping and management of research and development projects
• Advice on innovation funding applications and associated business cases
• Advice on market entry - economics and potential barriers
• Creating academic and industrial partnerships

• Flexible Urban Networks: Low Voltage (FUN-LV): Trialling power electronics devices on low voltage distribution networks for the first time, to assess the potential to release existing, latent spare capacity in shorter timescales as an alternative to conventional reinforcement (a Low Carbon Networks Fund tier 2 project led by UK Power Networks)
• Distribution network visibility: Enabling visualisation and analysing data from 9,500 secondary substations and 115 primary substations to deliver benefits to the planning, asset and control businesses (a Low Carbon Networks Fund project being developed with UKPN)
• Online Incipient fault detection and location in overhead lines: Locating and classifying incipient faults and events in overhead lines (part funded by the Knowledge Transfer Partnership)