CASE STUDY
Keeping boilers on for vulnerable customers during power outages
Impact:
Transformational
Key benefits/themes:
Customer Services, Health & Safety, Operational.,
Project partners:
Egnida, Northern Gas Networks (NGN)
The Challenge
Due to climate change, storms are becoming more frequent and unpredictable. Power outages caused by storms are becoming more severe, meaning that customers can be without power for longer periods than previously.
This mix of circumstances is creating an increased risk to health and - in some cases - to life for vulnerable residents. The impact, particularly of Storm Arwen, resulted in interventions from both the UK Government and the regulator, Ofgem.
Under “normal” weather conditions, current preventive and reactive methods have proved adequate. These include vegetation management, fast response to restore all power in the relevant areas and deployment of petrol generators to maintain supplies to specific houses of known vulnerable residents.
However, with the increasing frequency and severity of weather events that are now being experienced, these measures are far less effective and can leave vulnerable residents more exposed to risk.
The Solution
- The overall aim of this project is to create an integrated solution that uses temporary, portable and zero emission power sources, to keep vulnerable residents’ boilers and associated systems operational during power outages. The key project outputs will be:
- A method of identifying geographical areas where there are vulnerable residents likely to be at risk.
- A way of engaging with key stakeholders in areas most at risk, in particular social housing providers and local authorities
- A technical and operational solution that allows practical and cost-effective deployment of portable zero emission power sources during periods of high risk.
In the majority of outage situations, the gas supply to a property remains unaffected and so the purpose of this project is to prove that portable sources can be used to power residents’ gas (or other fuel) central heating systems. The portable power units will also include remote monitoring to enable the energy network operator to replace/recharge the units before they run out of power.
Project Partners
This NIA funded project is being delivered by Egnida, an SME specialising in decarbonisation, with support from Northern Gas Networks (NGN).
The project was first pitched to NGN’s vulnerability team in spring 2022, before the EIC was asked to support the development of the project and provide legal support in accordance with NIA governance ahead of an autumn 2022 start date. This rapid project initiation meant that key research and testing could be conducted throughout the heating season of 2022-23.
The outputs of the project will deliver significant social benefits by enabling NGN to provide better support for vulnerable residents in its licence area. In the event of a power outage, the solution will offer a means of ensuring that those who are vulnerable can continue to heat their homes.
The EIC was instrumental in supporting the swift development of the project plan and legal discussions that were required to meet the start date. The majority of the testing and research to date has been completed in-house by Egnida. The EIC has facilitated input from relevant stakeholders across NGN and its neighbouring electricity distribution network operator, Northern Powergrid.
The Project
This project is leveraging existing battery solutions with appropriate capabilities that can be deployed at short notice. Research was conducted to determine the amount of power a typical boiler would require for standard operation. The battery units were then tested on a boiler at Egnida’s facility with positive results. The solution is due to be further verified at NGN’s National Energy Research Village (NERV) test facility in February 2024.
In tandem with the testing, Egnida has developed a number of deployment options that can be adopted by NGN and other interested network operators. These options will be combined with final test results in an end of project report that will be disseminated across the industry.
A key lesson learnt to date is that the power required by a boiler does not depend on ambient temperature. The power requirements are constant, essentially enabling a portable power source to guarantee a set number of hours that the boiler can operate for.
The Impact
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Customers
The solution focuses on reducing the risk to life and health to vulnerable customers and could also be deployed in community centres.
Operational
When not being used to support vulnerable customers in power outages, the portable batteries can be used instead of standby generators, displacing expensive and polluting diesel.
Health and safety
Secondary use of portable batteries is better for health and safety than the alternative of running petrol or diesel generators / engines.
Environmental
Carbon and air quality benefits compared to using existing fossil fuelled generator alternatives.
The Project
The aim of StreetScore Phase 2 project was to improve the accessibility and experience of street works for customers in vulnerable situations and the wider public. The focus was on prototyping and validating concepts that could minimise disruptions experienced during street works, before potentially undertaking further developmental and testing activities that facilitates the transition to Business as Usual (BAU) deployment(s).
Workshops were also held to facilitate active engagement between network operators and key stakeholders, such as community groups, charities and advocacy groups. These sessions allowed network operators to develop a greater understanding of the challenges faced by customers in vulnerable situations and provided valuable insights into how customers adapt their behaviours and lifestyle around street works. The feedback gathered has also helped to inform the shortlisting of potential prototypes and concepts for future development.
The Impact
Customers
Improvements in accessibility and safety around street works, particularly for customers in vulnerable situations.
Community engagement
Improved engagement between network operators and third parties like community groups and charities.
Health and safety
Potential to reduce the number of incidents for customers when navigating street works. Learnings from the project have also enabled recommendations for changes or updates to existing regulations.
Financial
Improved guidance in working around street works thus reducing instances of fines for networks.
The Impact
Customers
Improvements in accessibility and safety around street works, particularly for customers in vulnerable situations.
Community engagement
Improved engagement between network operators and third parties like community groups and charities.
Health and safety
Potential to reduce the number of incidents for customers when navigating street works.
Financial
Improved guidance in working around street works thus reducing instances of fines for networks.
The Project
This project is leveraging existing battery solutions with appropriate capabilities that can be deployed at short notice. Research was conducted to determine the amount of power a typical boiler would require for standard operation. The battery units were then tested on a boiler at Egnida’s facility with positive results. The solution is due to be further verified at NGN’s National Energy Research Village (NERV) test facility in February 2024.
In tandem with the testing, Egnida has developed a number of deployment options that can be adopted by NGN and other interested network operators. These options will be combined with final test results in an end of project report that will be disseminated across the industry.
A key lesson learnt to date is that the power required by a boiler does not depend on ambient temperature. The power requirements are constant, essentially enabling a portable power source to guarantee a set number of hours that the boiler can operate for.
The Impact
Customers
The solution focuses on reducing the risk to life and health to vulnerable customers and could also be deployed in community centres.
Operational
When not being used to support vulnerable customers in power outages, the portable batteries can be used instead of standby generators, displacing expensive and polluting diesel.
Health and safety
Secondary use of portable batteries is better for health and safety than the alternative of running petrol or diesel generators / engines.
Environmental
Carbon and air quality benefits compared to using existing fossil fuelled generator alternatives.
Next steps
The portable power sources will be tested on a range of boilers in properties at the NERV test site. Following this, a final report (including the findings of these tests) will be prepared and disseminated to relevant stakeholders. The report will also include an outline of different potential routes to deployment for consideration by NGN. The aim is to provide the necessary support required to deploy the solution ahead of winter 2024-25.
As deployment may require a minor boiler modification, social housing providers will be kept informed of project progress to ensure that they have adequate time to make any arrangements for the modifications ahead of next winter.
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