Flexible plug and play low carbon networks: An open and scalable active network management solution for a faster and cheaper distributed generation connection

The ´Flexible Plug and Play Low Carbon Networks´ (FPP) project aims to facilitate faster and cheaper connections of renewable generation onto the distribution network, by using innovative technical and commercial solutions. In order to move from a passive ´fit and forget´ to a more active ´fit and flex´ approach, the FPP project have specified an Active Network Management (ANM) platform and will trial it to effectively demonstrate this new approach. This paper describes the technical solution which will be implemented to dynamically mitigate constraints caused by the connection of generators to existing networks. It details the different smart applications and smart devices which will be deployed to manage power flows and voltage as well as to provide real time rating of overhead lines. Specifically two platforms will be delivered during the project: a pre-production platform to integrate the overall system and a production platform for the trial. The platforms, by implementing the IEC 61850 standard, will aim to demonstrate the capability to develop a vendor agnostic open standards architecture to enable end-to-end communication between distributed smart network technologies and generation.