Technical and regulatory framework for Smart Grid infrastructure: A review of current UK initiatives

Given the UK Government targets on renewables, significant amount of wind generation is expected to be connected in Scotland. Delivering these targets effectively will require not only an appropriate investment in electricity infrastructure, but also fundamental changes in the philosophy of network operation and development to enhance the utilization of the existing networks. This in turn will requires the development of a new technical, commercial and regulatory frameworks associated with the operation and development transmission and distribution networks to support the new network operation paradigm in order to facilitate timely and efficient connection of new forms of generation. This paper discusses recent developments in the UK in support of the low carbon energy policy, focusing on the Fundamental Review of transmission network design standards, Review of the network regulatory regime and Transmission Access Review.