National Grid installs grid-enhancing technology allowing more renewable power to flow through existing transmission lines

• LineVision’s Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) technology has been installed on National Grid’s network to increase the capacity of over 275 kilometres of overhead line conductor.

• The sensors and data analytics platform will highlight spare capacity on overhead power lines allowing for the integration of more renewable power.

• National Grid’s overhead lines team worked with LineVision to install DLR sensors on circuits between one of the major North-South power system boundaries.

• The newly-installed tech has the potential to save consumers around £20 million per year and unlock additional capacity on the network, enough to power 75,000 homes a year.  

National Grid is deploying technology on its electricity transmission network that can expand the capacity of its existing overhead power lines. Partnering with LineVision, a leading provider of non-contact overhead power line monitoring systems, National Grid has installed dynamic line rating (DLR) sensors on circuits between one of the major North-South power system boundaries.

The new technology covers five circuits between Penwortham (Preston) and Daines (Manchester) and four circuits from Norton (Middlesborough) to Thornton (York) – together increasing the capacity of over 275 kilometres of OHL conductor.  

The newly-installed technology has the potential to save consumers around £20 million per year, by helping to tackle constraints on one of the leading boundaries for constraint costs on Britain’s transmission network.  

This installation has the potential to unlock enough additional capacity to power 75,000 homes a year, and is part of National Grid’s ongoing investment to increase the grid’s capacity and connect the renewable power needed for Britain to reach its net zero target by 2050.  

The new installation follows the successful implementation of LineVision’s DLR equipment on a 275kV circuit between Penwortham and Kirkby in Cumbria and the implementation of LineVision technology on National Grid’s networks in New York and Massachusetts.

LineVision is part of the National Grid Partners investment portfolio. Attaching LineVision sensors to continually monitor electricity transmission lines provides continuous data in order to calculate a ‘dynamic line rating’ (DLR). This rating can then be used to maximise the amount of power that can safely be transmitted through that transmission line. The dynamic line rating is determined by a power line’s physical and electrical properties; this includes size, resistance and maximum safe operating temperature, as well as the local weather conditions.

Electricity transmission lines have historically been operated using a “static” line rating calculated using conservative and static values for assumed weather conditions. LineVision’s “dynamic” line ratings determine capacity limits by combining real-time conductor properties and forecasted weather conditions, allowing for more informed grid operations and safely increasing operational limits.

LineVision is one of a number of innovative grid-enhancing technologies National Grid is deploying to make the existing network more efficient. Other technologies include advanced power flow controllers, which intelligently and instantly route power through the circuits which have available capacity, and using drones and Artificial Intelligence (AI) to monitor overhead lines daily.  

These works form part of wider upgrades to increase the capacity of the network and enable the connection of more renewable energy to homes and businesses, which also includes building new infrastructure as part of The Great Grid Upgrade.  

Corin Ireland, SO:TO Optimisation Engineer at National Grid, said: 

Integrating grid-enhancing technologies such as LineVision’s is a crucial part of National Grid’s work to increase the capacity of our network to meet increased demand.

Innovative projects such as this will boost the capacity of our existing infrastructure and help increase the network’s capacity for renewable power, delivering lower costs for consumers whilst continuing to maintain world-class reliability.

Hudson Gilmer, CEO of LineVision, said: 

We’re proud to support National Grid’s leadership in deploying grid-enhancing technologies that boost capacity, reduce congestion, and rapidly deliver real benefits to customers. This technology unlocks additional capacity on existing lines, helping National Grid meet the challenge of surging load growth, strengthen grid reliability and honor their commitment to affordability.