National Grid: Northern England projects
National Grid Electricity Transmission is using SmartValve to increase boundary capacity, improve network flexibility, and get more from existing transmission infrastructure.
Helping resolve network congestion across Northern England
As power flows increased across the transmission system, National Grid Electricity Transmission needed a fast, flexible way to address congestion on key boundaries.
The UK has seen significant growth in renewable energy in recent years, which has led to rising levels of network congestion in England as power flows towards large demand centers in the South. National Grid Electricity Transmission needed a solution that could quickly and cost-effectively resolve bottlenecks on key boundaries.
After extensive analysis under the UK’s Network Options Assessment process, advanced power flow control was recommended as the optimal solution to resolve the identified network congestion across three key boundaries: B6, B7, and B7a in 2020/2021.
The first set of projects used SmartValve at three substations to balance power flows across five circuits, unlocking 1.5 GW of transmission capacity and providing a quickly deployable, flexible, scalable solution that could be expanded as network needs evolved.
Expanded after initial success
In 2022/2023, two deployments were expanded with additional SmartValves, unlocking an additional 500 MW of capacity.
Now part of future grid planning
National Grid Electricity Transmission has included advanced power flow control in future network options and grid development planning.
See the projects in context
These videos provide additional context on how the technology is being deployed and why power flow control matters for the transmission network.
National Grid project overview
A closer look at how SmartValve supports boundary capacity and transmission flexibility.
SmartValve deployment story
How advanced power flow control helps operators redirect flows across existing infrastructure.
More firm capacity from existing infrastructure
The Northern England projects show how advanced power flow control can help transmission owners respond to network constraints without waiting for large-scale infrastructure buildout.
Unlocks over 2 GW of capacity
Supports increased transfer capability across multiple transmission boundaries.
Delivers £400 million in savings
Estimated savings for UK consumers over a seven-year period.
Minimizes disruption
Helps reduce the need for more disruptive reinforcement options.
Provides operational flexibility
Allows operators to dynamically redirect power flows as system needs change.
SmartValve deployments in the field
A look at the equipment, substations, and project visuals from National Grid Electricity Transmission deployments.
Northern England projects: unlocking boundary capacity
Access the full case study to learn how National Grid Electricity Transmission used SmartValve to support transmission capacity, reduce congestion, and improve operational flexibility.
