Smart grids

The IET’s policy work on smart grids is informed by the expertise of four IET Policy Panels: Energy, IT, Communications, and Transport. The IET’s multidisciplinary scope makes it particularly well placed to advise on the complex issues involved in the development of smart grids. 

Smart grids

• A smart grid is defined as an electricity network that can intelligently integrate the actions of all users connected to it - generators, consumers and those that do both - in order to efficiently deliver sustainable, economic and secure electricity supplies.
• There is no single way of implementing ‘smart grids’ but common themes are emerging internationally. There is significant opportunity to make wide use of fast communications, advanced materials and power electronics devices. Ideas to use these techniques are being developed and include, for example, better use of existing assets by means of ‘dynamic line rating’, intelligent controls to intercept faults and minimise the number of customers affected, and new control systems that enable distributed generation to be connected without the ‘reverse power flows’ causing problems with system voltages.
• Today’s networks are technically not able to accept high penetrations of distributed generation because they are designed for one-way flows only. New technologies have huge potential but they need to be brought forward from the lab to real networks. Demonstration projects are key to progress.
• The IET welcomes Ofgem’s commitment to fund network innovation leading to smart grids. However the current UK vision for smart grids is limited compared to their potential and to what is being explored elsewhere in the world. This lack of ambition seems likely to become a barrier to full consumer participation in demand reduction and to the development of community energy schemes. Smart grids will become a necessary part of a wind-heavy energy system, and are also essential should electric vehicles be adopted on a large scale. The vision and its realisation need a high priority.
• The IET strongly recommends the work of the DECC/Ofgem Smart Grid Forum. Three members of the IET’s Energy Policy Panel are active members of the Forum.

Smart grids IET briefing document

Shetland Northern Isles New Energy Solutions (NINES) Project (IET submission to OFGEM)

The Future of the UK Electricity Networks (IET submission to the House of Commons Energy and Climate Change Committee)

IET smart grid wider pictures

• The aim of the IET Smart Grid Wider Pictures is to provide a tool for discussion between the different disciplines and communities involved in the development of smart grid. It is quoted in the report of the Smart Grid Forum Workstream 3 “The Ideal Network”. This is work in progress hopefully leading to an emerging consensus on the scope of smart grid in the context of a low carbon energy future. 

IET Smart Grid Wider Picture IET briefing document

John Scott presents the IET Smart Grid Wider Picture (interview on IET TV)

Smart metering

• The IET supports the deployment of smart meters as enablers of change in the UK energy sector. Smart meters are an important part of the IET’s vision for more flexible and efficient energy supply infrastructures, particularly for electricity. As such the deployment programme for smart meters must be designed and implemented as part of a wider plan for smart energy grids.
• It must be appreciated that the smart meter itself is the tip of the iceberg. It will need a major supporting infrastructure to allow data to be collected, aggregated, distributed and used, and to enable decisions made on this data to be implemented. Delivering such infrastructure will be a major business change project that will require significant investment, and attention to the detail of project definition and management.
• A further aspect requiring substantial attention is that of data security. The data will be used by multiple users: customers, energy suppliers, network operators and others, and both data security and integrity will be at risk unless appropriately robust and resilient systems are provided and a systems engineering approach is adopted.
• Smart metering hardware and software will continue to develop at a fast pace through innovations in Europe, the USA and elsewhere. It is essential therefore that systems developed for the UK are not only compatible with global developments and but also that they are flexible to future changes. Equipment installed towards the end of the planned roll out is likely to have substantially enhanced functionality compared to what it available today.
• None of this complexity is an argument for delay. The climate change challenge is too urgent for that.  Instead we need to move forward rapidly with pilot schemes and trials, and learn from these experiences whilst continuing to develop robust systems for major roll out. At the same time, a strong public engagement programme will be vital to involve users in getting the best from this substantial investment.

Smart Metering Policy Design of DCC (IET submission to the DECC)

Smart Metering Data Access and Privacy (IET submission to the DECC)

Smart Metering Prospectus Part 1 (IET submission to the DECC)

Smart Metering Prospectus Part 2 (IET submission to the DECC)

Smart Metering Submission (IET submission to the OFGEM)

Smart Metering for Electricity and Gas (IET submission to the DECC)