Pushing down network running costs, one asset at a time

National Grid’s Distribution System Operator is pioneering a new approach to reinforcing the electricity network, reducing unnecessary operation costs and, ultimately, benefiting consumers’ bills.

Oli Spink, Head of System Planning for the Distribution System Operator, takes up the story.

“Our network is made up of a huge range of different types of asset, and many of these have a lifespan measured in decades.  In fact, we have assets that have been in use since the Beatles had their first hit, which continue to safely and reliably deliver power to our communities.

“Installing new assets is expensive. So as a responsible custodian of national infrastructure, we don’t want to replace them before the end of their useful operating life, because this would result in unnecessary costs for our customers.”

Oli and the System Planning team, together with the Distribution Network Operator team, pioneered a new approach in 2023. They ensured that all 190,000 low voltage transformers on our network were mapped, then overlaid with forecasts of customer energy use stretching to 2050. This had never been done before for low voltage transformers, and from this unprecedented pool of data the team pulled out an initial priority list of sites for replacement.  

“This gave us a new, unique, view of the health and lifespan of our network, empowering us to make decisions on where to prioritise our efforts to upgrade and maintain our network,” Oli continued.

“Understanding where and when to upgrade our network ensures our customers continue receiving safe and reliable power at the lowest cost possible.”

Our approach also revealed opportunities for new ways to prepare for our customers’ changing priorities. Changing the way we use existing assets has extended their lifespans and increased their performance without requiring us to spend money upgrading them.

“No asset lasts forever,” Oli concludes.  “However, by thinking differently and prioritising upgrades to our network where they’re most needed, we can make the most out of the infrastructure that’s already in place and avoid unnecessary costs.”

“As a DSO that’s rooted in the local communities we serve, we know that affordability and reliability are really important to our customers. By taking this data led approach, we’re providing opportunities for safe, managed and affordable economic growth, while ensuring that the network can continue to efficiently serve customers for the next quarter century and beyond.”

Find out more about our work to plan the future of the network.