Loughborough University: Innovative smart meter initiative will enable connection of low-carbon technologies to electricity network

Researchers from Loughborough University are developing innovative ways to use smart meter data to help equip the electricity network with low-carbon technologies.

Launched in partnership with National Grid, the SMITN project (Smart Meter Innovations & Test Network) will use data from smart meters to give electricity network planners added information, helping them to manage load when connecting low-carbon technologies like electric vehicle (EV) chargers and heat pumps.

The new smart meter technology will allow National Grid to monitor the quality of power supplied by the low-voltage network. This will help identify hotspots where customers are connecting low-carbon technologies and where extra capacity may be required.

By using this technology to improve network data, National Grid will also be able to devise self-serve tools and simplify the connections process for thousands of customers wanting to connect solar PV, EV chargers and heat pumps.

Loughborough University will be working with data scientists from CGI to design algorithms that identify the cable connections for each customer, calculating the load on each conductor and including the demand and generation from low-carbon technologies.

The researchers will also work with Haysys to develop a verified test network where the customer connections have been independently checked.

The work at Loughborough University will be led by Andrew Urquhart and Murray Thomson from CREST, the Centre for Renewable Energy Systems Technology, working with project partners CGI, Haysys and GHD.