A research centre which aims to accelerate the adoption of new “smart” technologies, ranging from advanced power grids to electric cars and household appliances, is to be opened in Scotland.
The £12.5million Power Network Demonstration Centre is said to be the first of its kind in Europe.
Around 25 staff will be based at the site at Cumbernauld. It will include the most advanced, control, monitoring and communications systems, and is expected to open at the end of this year.
The centre is being created by Strathclyde University and leading energy companies including ScottishPower and Scottish & Southern Energy, with support from Scottish Enterprise and the Scottish Funding Council.
The facility is expected to play a key role in increasing the UK electricity grid’s efficiency and reliability, as well as testing the next generation of smart electrical technologies.
Professor Jim McDonald, principal of Strathclyde University, said: “The Power Network Demonstration Centre will support the development and accelerated deployment of new electrical power distribution technologies, helping the UK’s energy and engineering industries compete on the world stage.
“Scotland is ideally placed to develop the next generation of smart, electrical technologies that will reduce carbon emissions from the energy sector, improve energy efficiency and ensure we maintain a secure supply of power. But it is critical we remove the technical – and economic – barriers to connecting these technologies to our existing infrastructure. The new centre will do just that, and set new standards in electrical distribution.”
Jim Sutherland, network development director at ScottishPower, said: “ScottishPower is committed to making our electricity network as modern and efficient as possible. By bringing together the academic world with industry, the new centre will push forward developments that will facilitate the integration of low-carbon technologies such as electric vehicles and renewable generation, and help to create the electricity infrastructure suitable for the needs of the future.”
Alan Broadbent, head of engineering at Scottish and Southern Energy Power Distribution, said: “The opening of this new centre represents a huge opportunity for Scotland and the UK to speed up the decarbonisation of the grid.
“The work at the centre will complement our portfolio of research and development projects and is further evidence of the value of the innovation funding incentive provided by Ofgem.”
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