An innovative smart control system is helping to accelerate the transition to clean energy by connecting major battery projects to the electricity network more quickly and at lower cost.
SP Electricity North West has successfully linked a new 30MW battery to its network using its real-time active network management (ANM) system. The technology enabled the project to connect three years earlier than expected without the need for costly network upgrades, delivering savings of £3.2 million.
The ANM system uses real-time data to monitor the network and automatically manage electricity flows when constraints occur. This allows the grid to operate safely while making better use of existing infrastructure.
Since the battery was connected, the system has activated more than 400 times, while restricting the site’s operation by just 0.3%. The battery has therefore been able to operate almost normally and support balancing services that are increasingly important as more renewable energy comes online.
The project highlights how smarter network management can reduce emissions by enabling low-carbon technologies to connect more quickly and efficiently.
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