A successor to ER P2/6: existing issues and lessons from "Flexible Networks for a Low Carbon Future"

This note is concerned with a network's ability to meet demand for power. In other words, with 'security of supply' and, in particular, with standards or conventions that drive a distribution network planner’s decisions in respect of ensuring that demand will be met in future. It takes lessons from the “Flexible Networks” Low Carbon Networks Fund project in respect of ‘flexible’ network actions such as dynamic or real-time ratings, network reconfiguration and voltage regulation along with learning from network monitoring, not least to aid better forecasting of demand, and applies them in respect of possible development of a successor to the main standard that drives network investment to provide adequate reliability of supply to distribution connected demand, Engineering Recommendation (ER) P2/6, i.e. the 6th edition of ER P2. This note discusses a number of issues in respect of ER P2/6, its application by Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and its interactions with other regulatory initiatives, not least the Interruption Incentive Scheme (IIS) and ‘load indices’.