Introduction: The Orkney Islands are a rich source of renewable energy and as a result, all capacity for conventional connection of generation was exhausted in 2003. Due to the smaller scale of the generators and the high cost for conventional connection, circa £30M, another method for connecting generation needed to be developed to unlock the full renewable energy potential. Using an intertrip scheme, a further 21MW was allowed to connect which was quickly taken up by generators. However, there was still a strong desire from generators to get access to the Orkney network but this was insufficiently strong to cover the reinforcement cost. To allow further connection, an ANM system was designed and installed that took into account the difference between the minimum and maximum demand on the islands and the diversity amongst the connected generation portfolio. The ANM scheme monitors the identified network constraint points and dynamically controls the new non-firm connected generators’ output to ensure that the operating limits at the constraint points are not breached.

Objectives: This aim of this project is to improve the resilience of the ANM system so that it effectively manages the connected generation and is ready for transfer to BaU. This will allow more widespread use of the learning from this project and ensure that the ANM methodology can be applied to other network constraints by SSEPD and other DNOs. The scope is to assess the system, define how to improve its resilience, and lastly to transfer the technical and associated commercial systems over to the main business including the operation and maintenance of the ANM system.