why local energy systems are essential for a low carbon future

Saturday, April 22, 20231

[email protected]

Why Local Energy Systems are Essential for a Low Carbon Future

Mary Gillie, Engineering a greener future


What I want to talk about

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A bit about me The problems to be solved and how local energy

contributes. Some examples of the types of solutions



Me

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Applied physicist and electrical engineer by training. Worked on R&D and field trials developing smart grids for

10 years. This lead to working with communities on energy projects,

demand side management and energy efficiency. Work at different points of the spectrum from

communities to international project.



The problems to solve

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An energy system that Is low carbon end to end. Incorporates intermittent renewable energy Is affordable and manages many sources heat and power Minimises vulnerability to extreme weather and terrorist

attack Encourages responsibility by consumers.

No ‘Business as Usual’



This requires renewable energy. Some sources are large –scale but others are small scale. Small scale renewables need to be managed locally. Biomass requires a local supply chain

We need local systems

Is low carbon end to end

Mary Gillie, Engineering a warmer greener future


We can develop storage but matching load to demand is more efficient.

We need to use controllable loads but managing domestic demand is complex.

Load is more easily managed at a community scale. Local communities can then get the benefit.

Incorporates intermittent renewable energy



We have a quiver of silver arrows, not one magic bullet. We need to use local sources for local supply. This could be various biomass, wind or solar, depending on

location. The jigsaw is easier to complete locally

Is affordable and manages many sources heat and power



Local generation, means damage in one location doesn’t jeopardise the whole supply.

Short supply links reduces vulnerability. Interconnection increases resilience as long as different systems

are not reliant. Needs local control.

Minimises vulnerability to extreme weather and terrorist attack



Local generation and ownership raises awareness. People understand why responsible use is required They can get a benefit from participation.

Encourages responsibility by consumers.



Smart meters to record Hlf-hourly data and receive control signals.

More monitoring and control at LV In home control. Access to the half-hour settlement system

What is needed?

Mary Gillie Engineering a warmer greener future


Smart meters to record Half-hourly data and receive control signals.

More monitoring and control at LV In home control. Access to the half-hour settlement system

What is needed?



Understanding our demand

ScottishPower Energy Network Smart Village LCNF projectMary Gillie Engineering a warmer greener future


Cascade


Saturday, April 22, 202314Mary Gillie

Engineering a warmer greener future

Distribution of a new load – EV charging


EV charging distribution



Energy disaggregation



Demand flattening – link power, electric and heating



A possible solution to use half-hourly settlement – work in progress


Customer

Customer

Customer

Renewable Generator

Renewable Generator

Smartmeter, time of use

tariffs


tariffs


tarifs

‘virtual meter’ adding all the smartmeter readings together

Licensed supplier and settlement

CESCO

As part of a CESCO, individuals benefit from time of Use Tariffs and can pool local generation.


Example of network forecasting and managing local generation


day day day day day day day10

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Am

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Simulated, maskedForecast from NN, unmaskedMeasurement, unmasked


Summary


Local Energy systems Help manage local energy systems Provides the flexibility to use many energy sources Engages consumers Provides resilience

….. But only if we adapt

why local energy systems are essential for a low carbon future

Documents

local control

usual mary gillie

local sources

local energy systems

types of solutions mary

local communities

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