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The Grid Network
Network Connections
Renewable energy projects that generate electricity normally connect to either the transmission grid or the distribution grid. The difference between these grids is normally the voltage: transmission grid voltages are normally 220 kilovolts and above (132 kilovolts and above for offshore wind and Scotland); distribution voltage levels are normally 11 kilovolts, 33 kilovolts, 66 kilovolts and 132 kilovolts (except offshore wind and Scotland).
BERR co-ordinates activity in this area through two sub groups: the Transmission Committee (formally the Transmissions Issues Working Group or TIWG) and the Distribution Committee (formally the Distribution Generation Coordinating Group).
(516KB)Transmission Committee
TIWG was established by BERR to initiate preliminary studies into the scope of work required to upgrade the transmission system to accept increasing amounts of renewable generation. The Renewable Energy Transmission (RETS) and England and Wales Transmission (EWTS) studies both identified the costs of installing up to 6 gigawatts in England and Wales, and 6 gigawatts in Scotland. It was clearly recognised that the provision of this infrastructure was crucial in ensuring that the generators can meet Government 2010 targets for renewable energy generation.
The role of the Transmission Committee is now to monitor the rate of progress of the implementation of the infrastructure, and to identify, well in advance, the issues required to be resolved in order to meet the needs of the expansion of renewable energy generation.
Distributed Generation
Along with the expanding community of independent electricity producers, renewable energy accounts for an increasing proportion of installed electrical generation capacity. As the whole industry shifts to a wider range of generation sizes and technologies, the transmission and distribution network structures and the commercial trading systems will change.
Understanding how small generators interact with the electricity supply industry has formed an important part of BERR's New and Renewable R&D Energy programme since 1995. Renewable energy projects generate electricity and need to be integrated into the electricity system. This is not only a matter of engineering a physical connection, but also of helping to ensure access for small generators. This access must be fair in commercial terms, not restricted by unnecessary regulations, not subject to inappropriate technical restrictions, and based on cost-effective technologies.
The connection of renewable energy generators, which will mostly be of a modest size in terms of their electrical output, is therefore not straightforward. A considerable amount of work needs to be done to improve conditions for developers if Government targets on greenhouse emissions and renewable generation are to be met. The Distribution Committee has the responsibility to take forward this work and, through the activities of its subordinate project groups, aims to identify rational solutions to problems that may now, or in future, impede the deployment and connection of renewable energy generators to the network.