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Details of Grant 

EPSRC Reference: GR/R03389/01
Title: Effect of Losses On Design & Pricing of Distribution Networks
Principal Investigator: Strbac, Professor G
Other Investigators:
Researcher Co-Investigators:
Project Partners:
Alstom Group E.On East Midlands Electricity
Pirelli Ltd
Department: Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Organisation: University of Manchester, The
Scheme: Standard Research (Pre-FEC)
Starts: 01 July 2001 Ends: 30 June 2004 Value (£): 131,884
EPSRC Research Topic Classifications:
Energy Efficiency Power Sys Man, Prot & Control
EPSRC Industrial Sector Classifications:
Energy
Related Grants:
Panel History:  
Summary on Grant Application Form
The UK distribution network was significantly expanded during the late 1950s and early 1960s and the assets then installed now approach the end of their useful life and need to be replaced. Work carried out within EPSRC project (GR/L 10079) Pricing of Distribution Systems with embedded Generation has revealed a strong and somewhat unexpected link between system losses and network design policy. The main concern is whether a minimum investment cost, instead minimum life cycle cost, driven design policy coupled with inadequate regulatory incentives for investment into high efficiency distribution plant, may result in the installation of inefficient plant which will be then in operation for the next 30 years. This project will develop an optimal loss-inclusive network replacement strategy and investigate schemes that promote efficient investment policies from an overall social perspective. Advanced optimisation techniques for determining minimum life cycle design for large distribution networks will be established. Furthermore, techniques for measuring the robustness of the proposed solution and risks involved in investing in high-efficiency distribution plant will be developed. Mechanisms that promote installation of minimum loss-inclusive cost plant will be investigated and developed. Alternative cost-reflective methods for allocation of losses and loss driven capital will also be developed and compared.
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Organisation Website: http://www.man.ac.uk