b'Partner News Spring 2023 25CorporateResilient, green, flexible: How UK Power Networks world-first programme is preparing for a decarbonised future Paving the way for the home of tomorrow, UK Power Networks have set to the task of future proofing their power grid. Utilising innovative software to connect the dots in the high voltage network, the revolutionary Constellation project will fundamentally change the way we utilise our legacy hardware, all while supporting our customers on their Net zero journey. Using new smart substations, Constellation is creating an intelligent and dynamic network that is ready to support the transition to decarbonised energy. The installation of smart substations across the network will drastically increase network resilience by enabling the ability to quickly react to disruptive events.Millions of data points will be communicatedin protecting a network which was nevercapacity to be released as customer-owned between smart substations within a fractiondesigned to incorporate decarbonised energygenerators feed onto the network. The of a second to efficiently redirect power flows,generation. benefits could enable carbon savings of 1.9 ensuring network faults can be identified andmillion tonnes of CO2 by 2030 and provide a protected against without stressing networkWhile the system will revolutionize theframework for the technology to be rolled out capacity. Similarly, smart substations canway we utilize the network, its less aboutacross the United Kingdom.work together to register when issues occurreplacing legacy infrastructure, and more outside the local network, ensuring theirabout adapting it with innovative technology. Ian continued Ultimately, its our mission to effect doesnt spread. provide innovative solutions that keep the This additional resilience wouldlights on for a population of 20 million.Ian Cameron, director of customer servicesimultaneously support further integration and innovation at UK Power Networks,of decarbonised energy solutions toConstellation will provide increased stability said: Through Constellation, were takingenter the network at a local level. Byacross the network, paving the way for a traditional technology and adapting to make2030, UK Power Networks anticipate andecarbonised energy grid, and saving our it future proof, helping keep the lights on foradditional 12GW of decarbonised electricitycustomers money. It is the future of power in our customers and helping meet our net zerogeneration will be feeding back into thethe United Kingdom, and its never looked so 2050 targets. network, driven by evolving technology suchclose.as wind and solar generation, enough to The further adoption of electric heatingpower over 8 million homes. UK Power Networks is working alongside solutions and an increase of electric vehiclesABB, General Electric, the University of in our customers homes users will play aBy continuously optimising networkStrathclydes Power Networks Demonstration significant role in meeting our Net Zeroprotections, Constellations smart substationsCentre, Siemens and Vodafone. The project is targets. Increasing resilience is essentialwill also allow an additional 1.4GW of networkexpected to finish in 2025.'