A project trialled in Kent, designed to improve the reliability of electricity supplies and support the UK’s move towards a low carbon future, has been recognised as trail blazing in the energy industry.
Electricity distributor UK Power Networks received the Innovation Project of the Year accolade for its Kent Active System Management (KASM) trial.
KASM was recognised by the judges as a truly innovative and industry-first project that allows for better real-time analysis of what is happening on the electricity network, making for an even more reliable network. The trial, that took place along the East Kent 132 kV electricity distribution network, also allows more renewable energy such as wind and solar generation to safely connect to the network and at a lower cost. Having more renewable generation connected to the network means more customers will have access to cleaner and cheaper energy without compromising on reliability.
Over the summer period alone, the Kent Active Management System (KASM) trial managed to save more than 4,000MWh of what otherwise would have been lost renewable energy production – if the same amount of energy had been generated by fossil fuels instead it would have emitted as much carbon dioxide as 1,500 flights between London and New York. If the Kent trial is rolled out nationwide, it will save customers over £65m by 2030.
Welcoming the award, Ian Cameron, head of innovation at UK Power Networks says: “For the Kent Active System Management project to be recognised as Innovation of the Year is a great achievement for UK Power Networks and an endorsement of innovative technology that is helping to improve reliability of supply while also helping to move the UK to a greener future.”
