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New Energy World
New Energy World embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low carbon technologies.
Smart and flexible moves: DNO to DSO
4/5/2022
8 min read
Smart energy management is revolutionising the way electricity is being generated, distributed and consumed on the road to net zero by 2050. Here, Brian Davis examines how two UK Distributed Network Operators are changing to adopt flexible network operation as Distribution System Operators.
Flexibility and smart energy management is crucial for the UK’s national electricity grid and the nationwide network of Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to optimise operations, reduce costs and boost decarbonisation. Creating a more flexible utility market using digitalisation, new technologies and demonstration projects is important for bringing together new and established market partners and customers on the road to net zero.
‘The move from being a DNO to becoming a Distribution System Operator (DSO) means going from maintaining and operating assets in a traditional way to using data more effectively to balance the networks,’ explains Richard Hartshorn, EV Readiness Manager of Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN).
SSEN is responsible for electricity distribution to over 3.8mn homes and businesses across central-southern England and the north of Scotland, where SSEN also runs the transmission network. ‘As a network operator, we have traditionally been charged with ensuring that the cables and transformers are suitably sized, maintained and periodically replaced. However, as we move to become a DSO, we will be responsible for ensuring the network is balanced,’ he says.