Energy Technologies Institute launches greener grid viability studies

The Energy Technologies Institute (ETI) will today announce the launch of two wide-ranging research projects to examine the ability of the UK grid to cope with an increased reliance on renewable energy.

An offshore connection project will examine the challenges in connecting energy generated by offshore wind farms and marine energy systems to the UK grid, while a separate network capacity study aims to identify and assess new technologies that could enhance transmission and distribution of electricity in the UK.

The first project, to be undertaken by consultants Sinclair Knight Merz, is expected to last seven months and will aim to identify new electrical system designs and control strategies that could make it easier to transmit offshore energy back to shore.

Meanwhile, the second project from consultants Mott MacDonald will assess how new power management systems can help the grid cope with the increased supply of variable levels of renewable energy.

ETI chief executive Dr David Clarke said new approaches will need to be developed to ensure a secure supply of renewable energy.

"As an increasing amount of our energy is generated from renewable sources, we have to look at the impact on the electricity transmission and distribution systems to ensure the system can cope with future demands," he said. "These projects will help the ETI make informed strategic decisions on the technology development and demonstration projects it could provide in this area."

The projects are the first to be announced under the ETI's Energy Storage and Distribution Programme. The ETI is a public private body set up to provide a framework for the development of clean energy technologies.

So far in 2009, the ETI has announced more than £50m worth of projects in marine, transport, offshore wind, distributed energy and carbon capture and storage.

The latest research follows a separate study from the grid operator National Grid, which predicted that planned improvements to grid management systems would ensure that it will be able to cope with government plans to deliver up to 35 per cent of the UK's electricity from renewable sources by 2020.