Announced on 17 December, SP Energy Networks has invested in software from Sia Partners UK, which utilises data science and machine learning algorithms to predict electricity network demand and generation output.
The forecasting software uses historical network data, detailed weather data and AI to predict the energy flowing to the electricity distribution network, which will be used in the real-time management of the network, including forward planning in assessing the impact of new connections across the system. The software will also enable the company to maximise capacity and reliability across the network.
Grant McBeath, Control Room Manager at SP Energy Networks, said: “Demand on the network is forecast to increase considering all future energy scenarios as we transition towards a zero carbon economy. We therefore have to change the way we manage the network – transitioning from a passive approach to much more active and agile management, which requires a more dynamic approach to ensure capacity is maximised and customers’ supplies remain uninterrupted.”
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