The Energy Research Partnership (ERP) has brought together a range of stakeholders from across the energy sector to develop a common view on the future resilience of the UK Electricity System.
The work has identified a range of emerging trends that are changing the way we operate the electricity system and will need to be acted upon to assure we have a resilient electricity system in the future. In response to these trends a number of recommendations have been made that require action over the next decade to assure resilience of the electricity system in the future.
The ERP believes is important to recognise that there may be low regret decisions and investments that we can make in anticipation of these future trends, with an overall lower cost and greater system wide benefit than if we respond to them as they arise. A key enabler to making these decisions will be achieving cross industry agreement on what we mean by resilience and how we measure it. In producing the report, the ERP has already started this process, and brought together a wide range of industry and government players to enter this debate.
Looking forward, much more needs to be done. The industry needs to engage with society and business to clearly establish their needs and expectations and how they can be met. This in turn should help shape and inform government and policy, with a new resilience taskforce working across the energy sector to help lead the changes. In particular, resilience needs to be ‘baked in’ to the regulatory regime, to ensure that together, all players can reduce the impact of any threat to network infrastructure, either proactively through design or by being ready to respond quickly to restore energy supplies. The report highlights the need to continue work with government agencies to assess cyber security risks and put in place the necessary protection to counter any potential threat.
Above all, the ERP anticipates that by assuring we have a resilient energy system in the future, whatever threats may try to compromise its operation, we will continue to make the UK an attractive place to build the global businesses of the 21st century.
Resilience Event
The ERP will be holding a Resilience Event in January at the Energy Systems Catapult in Birmingham where the report and its findings will be presented and discussed by key Working Group Members. If you would like to attend this event, please register in advance at: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/erp-future-resilience-of-the-uk-electricity-system-tickets-52904543915
Project Scope
The project scope was developed with support from Working Group Members (ERP members and project advisors). This report is based on information provided by each Working Group Member where they set out their organisation’s view on the UK electricity system resilience and the potential future impact of the changing energy landscape. All working group members discussed and shared findings at a workshop held at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in June 2018. The industry views from the responses submitted, and the workshop are represented in this report.
Resilience Working Group
ERP Members
ABB
Arup
Atkins, member of SNC-Lavalin Group
Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
EDF Energy
Environment Agency
Energy Systems Catapult
National Grid Electricity Transmission
National Infrastructure Commission
Welsh Government
Project Advisors
Energy Networks Association
Electricity North West Ltd
Northern Power Grid
Scottish Power Energy Networks
UK Power Networks
Scottish and Southern Electricity
University of Manchester
