Page 23 - Gi flipbook September 2018

consider whether investment in
further storage capacity is required. FIGURE 3: Sample week with EV projected impact included
Supporting the growth of electric
vehicles slots neatly into the skillset
of the gas network as we work to
keep the lights on, heat 80 per cent
of homes and power businesses
across the UK. While we know that
this demand will be intermittent, it’s
essential that even on a cold weekday
in January, with minimal wind
generation, we can meet the needs of
energy consumers across all vectors.
Taking a sample week at the end of
January 2018, in which we saw
significant variation in wind generation
output, we can see a strong negative
correlation between wind generation
(in green) and gas generation (in red).
When we add the current projected coal and nuclear sites are electricity system balancing, meaning
EV load for National Grid’s Slow decommissioned. The actual figure that generation needs may peak
Progression scenario for 2050, could be lower, or much higher. simultaneously at a number of sites
profiled against the Customer Led Our whole system Energy locally, rather than demand being
Network Revolution (CLNR) project Pathfinder 2050 model, which will satisfied by generation distributed
projections, we can see what a future soon be made available via our across the whole of the UK. This
UK gas generation demand profile website, allows us to simulate at a would have the impact of amplifying
might look like (in blue). high level the impact and interactions capacity requirements on the gas
The overall result still shows a of various generation mixes and how networks when compared to current
highest case of 11,300MW additional they respond under various demand processes, against which a level of
generation being required during peak scenarios on an hour by hour basis. diversity is expected.
hours. At 33 per cent efficiency, this While we are now in a stronger In our regions, the impact of holiday
would mean 33,900MW gas input or position in terms of understanding the traffic to the South West and Wales
3mcm gas during that peak hour alone. future of gas generation and its could be a particular issue, and other
Of course, other changes are impact on our network, there is more regions will have other locational
forecast, so having looked at this work to do particularly at a local level. factors to consider. The long term
aspect in isolation we can’t necessarily Unlike heat demand, vehicles, and need will be to work more closely
assume that this is the change to hence their demand for charging, is with DNOs to ensure we fully
expect for gas generation. New not confined to a single connection understand the issues.
connections will continue to be added point within the network. At the same Electric vehicles, like electrifying the
to the networks whilst existing loads time, DNOs are already progressing railways, will play their part in
become more efficient. Some heat with the Open Networks Project, improving air quality and reducing our
may be electrified, of which some may which is reviewing system operation carbon emissions. But, as a country we
have gas back up through a hybrid activities in the electricity sector and must not be blasé about where that
system. The generation mix will also proposing that DNOs have a much electricity is coming from. It will,
look very different to what we are more active role in local balancing on often, come from renewable sources,
familiar with, as increasing amounts of electricity distribution networks. but this is enabled by flexible gas-fired
weather-dependent generation The impact of all of this might be an power stations and the gas network,
connects to the system and ageing increasing geographical element to which pick up the slack when
renewables are not generating. The
perhaps unexpected impact of electric
By the end of 2018, it is anticipated vehicles on the gas network further
underlines the importance of a whole
there will be almost 200,000 electric systems approach in developing the
vehicles on the road, with an increase future energy system – the only way
we can continue to deliver energy that
of 27 per cent in 2017. With the ban is affordable, reliable and sustainable
on the sale of all new petrol and diesel for years to come. ■
vehicles from 2040, the growth in the ■ The 2050 Energy Pathfinder has
been built to assess the feasibility of
number of electric vehicles is certain to how different future energy mixes
increase even further and faster would work in practice. Find out
more at www.wwutilities.co.uk

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