Western Power Distribution’s and EA Technology’s Electric Nation and OpenLV projects have been presented at the 2017 UN Climate Change Conference (COP23), 6 to 17 November in Bonn.
The Government has a UK Pavilion within the Bonn Zone at the conference. On the 9 & 10 of November it showcased UK expertise in low carbon innovation, particularly with an energy focus.
Mark Dale from Western Power Distribution and Esther Dudek from EA Technology gave presentations on WPD’s innovation projects including Electric Nation and OpenLV in the UK Pavilion.
The Electric Nation model was used to demonstrate the project to a wide range of COP23 delegates from across the world.
There was lots of interest in how uptake of EVs is occurring in the UK, and how smart charging could help, either for solving network issues (as is being investigating in Electric Nation) or for maximising the use of renewable energy.
Mark and Esther’s presentations, part of the UK’s Smart Systems and Flexibility slot, and arranged in partnership with the Department for International Trade, enjoyed an audience which filled the room in the UK Pavilion.
Mark Dale described WPD’s innovation portfolio, particularly focussing on projects on Low Voltage networks closest to homes and businesses, including the new OpenLV project. EA Technology then explained the Electric Nation project and showed some early findings.
The presentations reflected the UK’s leading approach to electricity network innovation and research and development/demonstration projects.
The Electric Nation and OpenLV videos were included on a loop in the UK Pavilion, providing delegates a further opportunity to find out information about the projects.
Esther Dudek comments: “It was a very busy event with a really impressive range of pavilions highlighting the importance of climate change to countries from around the world. There was a lot of interest in the Electric Nation and OpenLV projects, so hopefully people were able to take this knowledge away with them and apply them within the context of their own countries.”
The Department for International Trade (DIT) helps UK-based businesses export and grow into global markets, and overseas companies locate and grow in the UK. DIT provides its services in over 100 markets throughout the world. In Germany, DIT is present in the British Embassy in Germany as well as in the General Consulates in Dusseldorf and Munich. The local teams provide tailored support and advice for business on how to enter the German market and connect German buyers with UK suppliers.
