National Grid’s distribution networks supply electricity to 20m people within the Midlands, South West and South Wales. As homes, businesses and industry rely on us to keep the lights on and keep the power flowing within our region night and day, maintaining the security of supply for existing customers has been a priority. 

Evolution in both customer types and behaviour, and network design and control, requires us to operate more active and flexible electricity systems. Traditionally, distribution networks delivered power from the main transmission system to homes and businesses across the nation. 

This process was relatively straightforward and predictable as power flowed in a single direction, starting from supply locations and reaching demand locations at lower voltages. Over the last decade there has been a significant growth in thermal and low carbon generation connected to our distribution networks. This has changed the flows of electricity across the networks and made these flows less predictable. 

Over the next decade the growth of intermittent renewable generation will continue, reducing the predictability of network flows further. This will be accompanied by significant growth in EV chargers and heat pumps which can be operated flexibly to support whole system balancing and help manage flows on both the distribution and transmission networks. 

The role of DSO Operations is central to ensuring that, that in this increasingly complex world, we continue to operate a safe and reliable network to keep the lights on for our customers.