Western Power Distribution – OpenLV (Innovation delivery)

In this project, EA Technology are managing the delivery of the Ofgem Network Innovation Competition project on behalf of WPD. OpenLV is trialling a new open software platform in electricity substations which can monitor substation performance and electricity demand. The LV-CAP™ Platform has been installed in 80 Low Voltage (LV) substations across WPD’s diverse network area but could ultimately be deployed across the entire electricity network.

OpenLV is a ground-breaking project that is making local electricity data openly available for the first time. The LV-CAP™ platform was designed and built by EA Technology, to enable network control and automation, along with increased participation in local network management. The platform will then host applications provided by a diverse set of developers, such as community groups, businesses and universities, providing a variety of services to network operators, communities and the wider industry.

OpenLV will use 3 approaches to demonstrate the platform’s ability, benefiting the network owner, customers, and service providers and improving the capacity of the local electricity network.

• Method 1: Network Capacity Uplift. Demonstrating the capability of the OpenLV platform to perform measurements and control the LV network.
• Method 2: Community Engagement. Providing local electricity data to communities and promoting app production.
• Method 3: Third party user engagement. Making LVCAP ™ units available to wider industry organisations who wish to use the data and support the development of apps to benefit both customers and the Distribution Network Operator (DNO).

EA Technology’s role includes the coordination and engagement of all stakeholders. This is with the aim of demonstrating the benefit of new technology to network operators, working with community organisations to show how the new technology can be utilised and engaging with businesses and universities, to demonstrate an appetite for app development and the value of using network data.

OpenLV provides an intelligent substation device that can be remotely managed and supports applications that will provide LV network data to communities as well as wider industry organisations. The project is showing the value of using new technology to improve network management and reduce costs whilst promoting the inclusion and engagement of all social groups.