LoadShare Project wins IET Innovation Awards Technology powers 45,000 homes with renewable energyLoadShare –a joint project between Smart Wires and UK Power Networks –has won the Power and Energy category, and received Highly Commended in the Sustainability and Environmental Impact category, at the prestigious Institution of Energy and Technology (IET) Awards in London.
The IET Innovation Awards recognize and celebrate the very best new innovations across science, engineering and technology, from around the world.
LoadShare uses Smart Wires’ state-of-the-art technology to increase the utilization of UK Power Networks’ existing lines –resolving a pinch point near the Essex/Suffolk border, and allowing more electricity generated from renewable sources to feed into the system –without building costly and disruptive new electrical cabling and substations.
This project has freed up 95MW of additional network capacity –enough to power 45,000 homes with renewable energy–and has saved UK Power Networks’ customers £8 million compared with traditional means of network upgrades.
SmartWires’ European Managing Director, Michael Walsh said: “Smart Wires is incredibly proud to have received recognition with UK Power Networks for this impactful project.”
“UK Power Networks was incredibly impressive to work with, and by pursuing projects like this, the company shows its commitment to its customers, the energy transition, and a greener, better future,” said Mr. Walsh.
Speaking about the importance of the LoadShare project to UK Power Networks and its future vision, the company’s Director of Asset Management, Barry Hatton said: “UK Power Networks’ vision for the future grid is to be a facilitator. We want to make sure that anyone who wants to connect low carbon technologies can do so.”
“UK Power Networks will achieve its vision through good people, good processes, good technology, and working with innovators to ensure any opportunity out there to make this happen is realized,” he said.
Mr. Walsh added: “Smart Wires’ power flow technology is a game-changer in the energy industry and is changing the way grid operators across the world think about integrating renewables. By enabling utilities to control where power flows on their networks, they can now integrate new generation more efficiently and at a lower cost and impact to consumers.The work UK Power Networks has done with LoadShare is a perfect example of the impact this technology can have.”
