The advanced sensors, installed on circuits connecting Penwortham to Daines and Norton to Thornton, monitor real-time environmental conditions to optimize line capacity, surpassing traditional static estimates. This upgrade is projected to save approximately £20 million each year while enabling sufficient renewable energy to power 75,000 households.
Corin Ireland, SO:TO optimisation engineer at National Grid, stated: “This will boost the capacity of our existing infrastructure and help increase the network’s capacity for renewable power.”
Hudson Gilmer, chief executive of LineVision, commented: “This project will rapidly deliver real benefits to customers and strengthen grid reliability.”
The deployment aligns with National Grid’s comprehensive investment strategy to modernize its infrastructure and support net-zero goals. It forms a key component of The Great Grid Upgrade, which focuses on enhancing the network to meet future energy demands efficiently.
By leveraging real-time data, the DLR technology ensures more effective use of existing lines, promoting sustainable energy distribution without compromising reliability. This effort reflects National Grid’s commitment to advancing a cleaner, more cost-effective energy system for communities across the region.