Question 1

What does a network standards compliance review involve?

Accepted Answer

We review your network planning and design decisions against national standards, interpret and clarify network standards requirements, and where standards are not clear we help establish the common UK and Ireland approach. This gives network operators confidence that their decisions stand up to scrutiny. A review can cover HV and LV planning theory, network security and the supporting socio-economic analysis, power quality standards including EREC G5, EREC P28 and EREC P29, technical analysis and assessment of low carbon technology equipment, modelling of network complexities, and benchmarking against industry good practice. Because our consultants support key DCODE working groups, including EREC P2, EREC P28, EREC P29 and EREC G5, we interpret the standards with direct knowledge of how they were developed and how they are applied across the industry. The outcome is a clear view of where your decisions comply, where interpretation is defensible, and where changes are needed, backed by evidence you can present to regulators and stakeholders.

Question 2

Which network standards does Threepwood work with?

Accepted Answer

Our consultants support a number of key DCODE working groups, including EREC P2, EREC P28, EREC P29 and EREC G5, and we have assisted in the development and revision of numerous key standards covering network related requirements, including power quality standards. EREC P2 relates to network security, while EREC G5, EREC P28 and EREC P29 are the core power quality documents we help operators understand and apply. Through our low carbon technology work we also assess devices against the ENA generation documents EREC G98 and EREC G99, the international generator standards EN 50549-1 and EN 50549-10, and the EMC product standards BS EN IEC 61000-3-2, BS EN 61000-3-3, BS EN IEC 61000-3-11 and BS EN 61000-3-12. Where standards are unclear or silent, we help establish the common UK and Ireland approach, and through Networks Discovery we research whether long standing assumptions in standards such as ENA EREC G5 remain valid for future networks.

Question 3

Can you assess low carbon technology connections for compliance?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Threepwood is particularly known for network compliance of low carbon technology connections on HV and LV networks. We manage the compliance assessment of LCTs such as heat pumps, EV charge points and PV for the UK and Ireland, and also cover other inverter connected generation including wind and battery devices. Assessments are made against the ENA power quality documents EREC G5 and EREC P28, the generation documents EREC G98 and EREC G99, the international generator standards EN 50549-1 and EN 50549-10, and the relevant EMC product standards in the BS EN 61000-3 series. Our work includes modelling and assessing the harmonic performance of LCT devices and their voltage fluctuation performance, covering effects such as flicker and step voltage change. In Ireland we are supporting the development of the ESB Networks LCT Register and act as ESB Networks' agent for devices requiring registration. Device specific questions can be sent to LCT@threepwoodconsulting.com.

Question 4

What is Networks Discovery?

Accepted Answer

Networks Discovery is our innovation and research work, which analyses and redefines how networks are assessed. Projects include testing whether the harmonic aggregation assumptions in ENA EREC G5, which describe how harmonic voltages from multiple devices summate, remain correct, and researching how equipment testing, for example switchgear testing, may need to change to remain fit for purpose on future power networks. The common thread is establishing or challenging whether long standing network standards remain valid as networks change and the mix of connected equipment evolves. Topics we support under Networks Discovery include evidence based decision making for network assessment and planning, the development and technical evolution of network standards, the development of models for converter and inverter equipment, data collation and analysis to support network policy decisions, and testing and analysing the power quality performance of new technologies. The findings feed back into our compliance work and into the industry standards processes our consultants support.

Question 5

Do you support cost benefit analysis for network decisions?

Accepted Answer

Yes. We support cost benefit analysis, benchmarking against industry good practice, network security and supporting socio-economic analysis, and modelling of network complexities. This evidence based approach helps network operators justify planning and investment decisions. Our involvement usually starts with the engineering question itself: we have worked closely with network operators on problem solving their electricity network decisions, covering HV and LV planning theory and the interpretation of national standards, so the economic analysis is always anchored in sound technical assessment rather than treated as a separate exercise. Where a decision rests on network security, we can combine the technical security assessment with the socio-economic analysis that supports it. Where a standard is unclear, our consultants' involvement in key DCODE working groups, including EREC P2, EREC P28, EREC P29 and EREC G5, helps establish a defensible position. The result is a case for investment or deferral that stands up to scrutiny from regulators, boards and other stakeholders.

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