Low Carbon Alternatives to Standby Generators in Electrical Substations

The Innovation Exchange programme is working alongside Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN-T), the owner of north Scotland’s high voltage electricity assets. SSEN-T is looking to engage innovators which can provide solutions for greener alternatives to diesel generators which are used for emergency supply in electrical substations.

Opportunity

Challenge opens

31/10/2022

Challenge closes

12/12/2022

Benefit

Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN-T) is looking to use open innovation to find low-carbon alternatives to diesel generators in electrical substations. Successful applicants will be given the opportunity to pitch their innovation to SSEN-T. Selected solution(s) will be trialled in pilot studies at SSEN-T sites, with the possibility of further adoption upon successful trials.

Background

Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks Transmission (SSEN-T) is the owner of the high voltage electricity assets in the north of Scotland.  In their substations, SSEN-T use generators for emergency supply when the main and reserve supplies to the Low Voltage Alternating Current (LVAC) switchboard have failed.

These generators are powered by diesel and are designed to run continuously for up to 120 hours. They have energy output ratings which range from 80kVA to 1000kVA. The generators provide standby support only and therefore do not operate daily, often not operating for months or years, other than the test operation performed quarterly for a period of up to 1hr.

SSEN-T have 65 standby generators in the substations within its network, some of which are in remote locations and are typically unstaffed.  Additionally, approximately 70 additional standby generators are scheduled to be installed within the RIIO-T2 period (2021 to 2026).

SSEN-T aims to achieve a 30% reduction in its operational carbon emissions by 2025-26. The generators used on their network for standby support and construction activities currently contribute 2% of carbon emissions. In order to meet its carbon reduction target, SSEN-T must decrease their carbon emissions from the use of fossil fuel generators and switch to lower carbon alternatives.

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