Challenges of Active Network Management Business as Usual Roll- Out

Active Network Management (ANM) has been successfully demonstrated in the UK as a means for Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) to provide low-cost network connections to generation customers that would otherwise pay for costly reinforcement. Such examples have been supported by innovation demonstration schemes. As DNOs look to roll-out ANM at scale, several challenges arise when transferring to a business-as-usual approach to ANM system deployment and operational support. While there is understandable urgency from network users to achieve momentum and pace in Business-as-Usual (BaU) roll-out, a systematic approach to ANM deployment is proposed as the best means to address the challenges. Pace and a systematic BaU roll-out methodology need not be at odds with each other if suitable planning is undertaken. The evaluation of prospective ANM deployment is presented, where the criteria to assess the feasibility and estimate the impact of ANM deployment in a network area are discussed, providing means of appraising the criteria to efficiently identify priority areas for ANM deployment. The paper outlines the overall ANM roll-out challenge and focuses attention on the early stage feasibility evaluation of ANM deployment in particular network areas.