Problems and solutions for control rooms in future active distribution networks

The way in which electricity networks operate is going through a period of significant change, with global issues causing an overhaul of the industry in countries across the world. Renewable generation technologies have a growing presence and increasing penetrations of generation are being connected at distribution level. Levels of network automation are on the rise, so too is the consumer demand for electricity. The list of changes that will transform the face of the industry is growing steadily. Evidently, attitudes to change differ from country to country and certain matters will be prioritised, depending on such things as political climate and energy policies. This paper discusses some of the major changes taking place in the energy and electricity sectors of the EU, and more specifically that of the UK, and the knock-on distribution network impacts caused by these changes. Problems and potential solutions are presented for the distribution control rooms facing increasingly active networks. The paper sets out credible future situations in active networks and reviews some of the techniques available for active network management, drawing conclusions about the implications on distribution control rooms.