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DNOs share issues in first Voltage Matters Forum meet

More than 60 members of the electricity industry joined the first in a series of online Voltage Matters Forum webinars on January 31, to share growing voltage challenges and experiences, as the grid goes through unprecedented changes.

Hosted by Fundamentals and Threepwood Consulting, new members are invited to join the next webinair on Friday, April 4. This will feature three presentations and Q&A sessions, focusing on issues raised by participants in the previous event:

  • LV Control, including LV solutions, LCT connections and LV planning.
  • HV Control, including reverse power, tapchangers, control schemes and Automatic Voltage Control (AVC).
  • Digitalisation, including centralised protection and control schemes, IEC61850, digital twins and virtual solutions.

Fundamentals CEO Dr Jon Hiscock said: “Our polling for the inaugural Voltage Matters Forum clearly showed that network operators are experiencing major challenges and trends in voltage management, resulting from the accelerating transition from the old grid model to a highly dynamic landscape of distributed energy resources (DERs) and changing customer behaviour.

“We created the Voltage Matters Forum for members to help each other to identify the problems they are facing, how they are changing as the transition gathers speed, and the most effective solutions they can apply.”

Growing voltage problems

Initial poll results include:

  • Reverse power issues are linked to directional protection and tap changer limitations, with solutions focusing on AVC replacement and system studies. HV control problems include high voltages, harmonics, and controller interactions, managed through smart voltage controls and policy updates. Tapchangers are a major interest, especially control schemes..
  • LV solutions are being deployed by nearly half of respondents, using voltage regulators and smart inverters, with cost and high voltage issues noted. Digitalisation efforts focus on smart meter upgrades, mainly benefiting LV networks. Control schemes face compatibility issues, while AVC struggles with DER integration and voltage fluctuations.
  • Low Carbon Technology (LCT) adoption has increased voltage complaints, particularly with EV chargers and PV systems. In LV planning, smart voltage management is gaining attention, though on-load tap changers are limited.