WEL Networks joins smart grid group

An international knowledge-sharing partnership of distribution network operators and community energy enterprises and organisations has been officially launched which includes support for vehicle electrification.

The International Community for Local Smart Grids (ICLSG) is convened by the University of Oxford and its research partner Enel Foundation and supported by co-founders Ausgrid, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks and Low Carbon Hub, with Waikato-based electricity distribution company WEL Networks joining too.

A five-year research programme will explore how smart grids can support net zero technologies in a way that is good for people and good for the planet.

First introduced at COP26, ICLSG will undertake ground-breaking research that will be informed by the learnings and expertise of partners drawn from Great Britain, Italy, Japan, New Zealand and Australia – all committed to securing a fair, cost-effective transition to net zero.

To achieve that, the ICLSG believes the relationship between communities and smart grids must be championed.

For electricity distribution network operators, the net zero transition means supporting the electrification of vehicles and heating, plus new requirements for homes and businesses which may wish to generate electricity.

Networks must be smart and adapt at unprecedented speeds to the new requirements for powering their communities, while ensuring a ‘just transition’ for their customers, the organisation says.

“Community energy organisations are rooted in their communities’ priorities for net zero and are working to ensure their solutions work socially, environmentally and financially. They provide a vital bridge to foster understanding of the opportunities and challenges that a transition to a zero-carbon energy system raises.”

With local energy projects happening all over the world, the group says it is essential that learnings are documented and shared to pave the way for more projects.

“By working together to find real world, collaborative solutions that address the specific needs of different communities across the globe, we hope to unlock the mass participation that is required to galvanise a successful transition.”

The partnership has recently appointed engineer Dr Katherine Collett as senior researcher. She brings expertise from previous projects on vehicle-to-grid (V2G), forecasting EV uptake, readiness for grid edge technologies, and decarbonising public transport in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Professor Malcolm McCulloch will lead the research and is head of the Energy and Power Group, part of the Department of Engineering Science at the University of Oxford.

“From Oxford to Waikato and from Sydney to Tokyo, the climates and regulatory structures within which electricity distribution networks and communities operate may be very different, but all our partners are tackling the same problems of how to innovate and cooperate as the world turns to zero carbon technologies,” says McCulloch.

“Our research will draw in learnings from partners’ smart grid and community trials and will identify and develop the tools needed to deliver a just transition to net zero.”

WEL Networks chief executive Garth Dibley says: “The electricity industry is heading into a period of unprecedented change driven largely by the necessity to meet international carbon reduction requirements to ensure reasonable outcomes for the environment.

“We are looking forward to working with the ICLSG to collaboratively find innovative ways to provide a strong, safe, efficient and reliable supply of electricity as we continue to support New Zealand’s Net Zero goal of becoming 100% renewable by 2030.”

The Citizens Own Renewable Energy Network Australia chair Briony O’Shea says it is looking forward to participating in this partnership which will allow it to contribute to research priorities and learn from community energy groups and network operators around the world.

“This will be of great value to our local renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.”