The Anonymous Widower

National Grid Rollout New Technology To Expand The Capacity Of Existing Power Lines

The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from National Grid.

These four bullet points act as sub-headings.

  • Latest rollout of Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) technology highlights spare capacity on existing power lines allowing greater power flows

  • New instalments on 585km of key north to south transmission network routes has the potential to save consumers up to £50 million in constraint costs

  • Over the last five years DLR has saved £21million in constraint costs and complemented upgrades to the existing transmission network (such as reconductoring and the use of power flow controllers) which have added over 16GW of new capacity to the existing network.

  • National Grid is unlocking more power from the existing grid faster and more cheaply, using innovative technology to meet increased demand, alongside constructing new infrastructure.

These first three paragraphs of the press release describe National Grid’s use of Dynamic Line Rating.

National Grid has announced a significant expansion of Dynamic Line Rating (DLR) technology across its electricity transmission network in England and Wales. Under a new five-year contract, Dynamic Line Ratings will be deployed across an additional 585km of key north-to-south transmission routes, potentially saving consumers up to £50 million over the next five years.

Meeting the growing demand for electricity requires both new infrastructure and smarter use of what already exists. DLR is an innovative yet proven technology that continuously monitors overhead line conditions to calculate a real-time capacity rating based on actual conductor behaviour and local weather, rather than the fixed conservative assumptions that have historically governed line ratings.

The result is a safe, reliable optimisation of available capacity on existing infrastructure, with the sensors and data analytics platforms allowing for a safe increase of the power carrying capacity of a circuit by an average of 8%. This reduces the need for constraint payments, where a generator is paid to stop generating to avoid overloading the electricity network.

This is an brilliant application of instrumentation, automation and very smart computing, that creates an average of eight per cent more capacity in the National Grid.

It’s like smart motorways for electrons, that from the press release appears to work.

I have some thoughts.

Reconductoring Is Mentioned

I suspect that the grid is highly instrumented and the grid can pick up areas that need to be replaced, but the masses of data a system like this will collect, will only improve their knowledge of the grid and give better predictions of where and how cables need to be replaced. Sophisticated modelling will also indicate, things like whether fatter cables here and there could squeeze more capacity into the network.

In the 1970s, I provided the software for the Water Resources Board to analyse and plan the pipelines and reservoirs for water supply in large parts of England.

Given that over the years, most of the problems over the years with the water industry, seem to apply to sewage, ownership, politics, equipment failure, rather than taps actually running dry, I suspect that Dr. Dimeloe and his team did a magnificent job. I would love to know the truth from one of the team.

As fifty years later, modelling software must be more sophisticated, I suspect a continuous analysis of the grid could give substantial benefits.

More And Better Sensors Will Be Developed

As needs arise, the systems will get more and more sophisticated and I wouldn’t be surprised to see the capacity of the grid increase by more than expected.

There Are 4,000 Miles Of High Voltage Overhead Lines In The UK

So if, National Grid can get an eight percent increase as the press release indicates, they might be able to add the equivalent of 320 miles to the electricity transmission network, without the hassle of applying for planning permission or dealing with Nimbies.

There might also be a cost saving as Google AI indicated that high voltage transmission lines cost around two million pounds per mile.

I Can Envisage Sophisticated Connection Networks For Offshore Wind Farms Using Coastal Or Even Offshore Batteries To Maximise The Energy Generated

Consider.

  • The output of a wind farm varies throughout the day and night.
  • Some of the variation in a wind farm’s output may be predictable.
  • Batteries and/or capacitors are good at smoothing variation in electrical power output and demand.
  • Capacitors are useful for smoothing out high-frequencies.
  • Highview Power are now building a 50 MW/300 MWh and a 500 MW/3.2 GWh battery, that both come with a sophisticated control system, they call a stability island providing inertia (frequency stability), short-circuit strength, and voltage control.
  • Dynamic Line Rating can be applied to the transmission line, that connects the wind farm and the battery to the grid.

Getting all these assets to work as a team, is a challenge some of the world’s best engineer/programmers would relish.

I could envisage, that systems like this could deliver hundreds of mill-pond smooth megawatts, that would be just what data centre owners wanted and needed.

Conclusion

The application of Dynamic Line Rating is going to revolutionise the electricity grid all over the world.

 

 

May 4, 2026 Posted by | Computing, Energy, Energy Storage | , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Centrica Energy And Exodus Sign Landmark LNG Agreement

The title of this post, is the same as that of this press release from Centrica.

This is the sub-heading.

Centrica Energy has announced the signing of a long-term Sale and Purchase Agreement (SPA) to supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Exodus for Honduras, marking a new milestone in the country’s energy development.

These two paragraphs add more details.

Under the terms of the agreement, Centrica will deliver approximately six LNG cargoes per year to Exodus through a ship-to-ship operation into the Floating Storage Unit (FSU) Bilbao Knutsen, located in Puerto Cortes. The 15-year contract is expected to commence in 2026.

“This agreement reflects Centrica Energy’s commitment to expanding global LNG access through strategic partnerships,” said Arturo Gallego, Global Head of LNG at Centrica Energy. “By leveraging our global reach and operational expertise, we’re proud to support Exodus and Honduras in its journey toward a more sustainable and resilient energy future.”

It looks a good deal for Centrica, that has been snatched from under the American’s noses.

I also asked Google AI, if Honduras produced any natural gas and received this reply.

No, Honduras does not produce natural gas, but it is importing it through a new liquefied natural gas (LNG) agreement that begins in 2026. The country relies on imports to meet its energy needs, and this new deal aims to diversify its energy mix and provide cleaner energy for power generation.

That’s clear and it’s interesting that Honduras are looking to provide cleaner energy.

These two paragraphs from Centrica’s press release add details on power generation in Honduras.

The LNG will be transported to the Brassavola Combined Cycle Power Plant, an operating 150 MW thermal facility with its combined cycle under construction and set to reach 240 MW of power capacity, marking the first-ever import of natural gas for power generation in Honduras. This initiative represents a significant step toward diversifying the nation’s energy mix and reducing its reliance on less environmentally friendly fossil fuels.

Once operational, the FSU will serve as the backbone of LNG storage at a new terminal currently under construction on Honduras’ Caribbean coast. The project is designed to enhance energy security, improve generation efficiency, and support industrial growth.

This article on Riviera is entitled Honduras Turns To LNG To Meet Energy Needs and provides these points.

  • Honduras is grappling with a 250 MW power shortage.
  • Genesis Energías is spearheading efforts to introduce a reliable and cost-effective energy source by importing liquefied natural gas (LNG).
  • Hyundai, who are one of Centrica’s partners in HiiROC, are converting the Bilbao Knutsen for its new role as a Floating Storage Unit (FSU).

It would certainly help Honduras’s economy, if they had more power generation.

I asked Google AI, if Honduras was developing offshore wind power and received this reply.

While Honduras has been actively developing onshore wind power for over a decade, there is currently no information to suggest it is developing offshore wind power projects. The country’s wind energy development has focused exclusively on land-based projects, with a number of operational farms and more in the pipeline.

I also asked Google AI if Honduras was developing solar power and received this reply.

Yes, Honduras is actively and significantly developing its solar power capacity as a cornerstone of its national energy strategy. The country has been a regional leader in solar energy penetration and continues to invest heavily in new projects to reduce its dependence on fossil fuels.

But, whether its offshore wind, onshore wind or solar power, these renewals will need backup and the 240 MW Brassavola Combined Cycle Power Plant, will be a good start.

I have some further thoughts.

Does HiiROC Have A Part To Play?

If would be good, if the 240 MW Brassavola Combined Cycle Power Plant could be zero-carbon, so that Honduras could be more zero-carbon.

Consider.

  • Centrica own part of HiiROC, who can generate turquoise hydrogen efficiently from natural gas.
  • Honduras will from 2026, have plenty of natural gas.
  • In Hydrogen Milestone: UK’s First Hydrogen-to-Power Trial At Brigg Energy Park, I talked about how Centrica powered Brigg power station with a hydrogen blend.
  • If the Brassavola Combined Cycle Power Plant was reasonably-modern like Brigg, I suspect it could be run on hydrogen or a hydrogen-blend.
  • A reliable supply of hydrogen in Honduras would have its uses.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see a HiiROC plant in Honduras to help decarbonise the country.

HiiROC Creates A Lot Of Carbon Black

When a HiiROC system produces turquoise hydrogen, it produces carbon black as a by-product.

I asked Google AI, if Honduras has a use for carbon black, and received this reply.

Honduras likely has a use for carbon black because the material is a vital component in the production of many common industrial and consumer goods that are used globally. The primary applications are universal across most countries, including those in Central America.

But carbon black can also be used to improve poor agricultural land.

So I asked, Google AI, if Honduras has a lot of land to improve and received this reply.

Yes, Honduras has significant land to improve, but this is complicated by issues like deforestation, land degradation, and a lack of clear land rights for many communities. There is a need to balance economic activities like coffee plantations with conservation, improve sustainable agriculture practices, and address illegal land occupation.

It seems to me, that a sensible hollistic approach could use some of the carbon black.

I also believe, that there are many universities, who could advise Honduras on land restoration.

Does Highview Power Have A Part To Play?

Consider.

  • Centrica are one of the backers of Highview Power, who are building their first two environmentally-friendly liquid air batteries in the UK.
  • Their flagship battery is a 300 MW/3.2 GWh monster that can incorporate a stability island, that controls the grid.
  • Highview Power’s batteries are zero-carbon, with a 40-50 year life.

As a Control Engineer, I believe that one of these batteries would be superb backup for the Brassavola Combined Cycle Power Plant and all those renewables.

Where Will Centrica Get Their LNG For Honduras?

I have already reported on two deals, where Centrica is purchasing LNG.

I can expect more deals like this around the world.

Also, as the Grain LNG Terminal has the ability to export LNG could we be seeing UK natural gas being exported by Centrica to Honduras and the other countries hinted at in the PTT purchase?

Are Centrica Proposing A Comprehensive Solution To A Nation’s Power Problem?

It certainly looks like they are.

And Honduras would be getting a zero-carbon energy system.

This could be repeated all around the world.

 

Conclusion

This certainly looks like a good deal for Centrica, that can be repeated in other places.

 

 

November 28, 2025 Posted by | Artificial Intelligence, Energy, Energy Storage, Environment, Hydrogen | , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Highview Surpasses Half A Billion Pounds Of Funding With Latest £130m Capital Raise For Phase One Of Long Duration Energy Storage Facility At Hunterston, Ayrshire

The title of this post, is the same as that of this news story from Highview Power.

Funding Round Enables Build Of “Stability Island” Which Will Deliver Crucial Grid Stability Services; Represents Phase One Of LDES Facility At Hunterston

These two paragraphs outline the funding raised and where it will initially be used.

Highview has secured £130 million in funding to commence work on the first stage of its planned 3.2GWh hybrid long-duration energy storage solution in Hunterston, Scotland. This brings the total raised to commercialise and roll out Highview’s long duration storage solutions to over £500 million.

This latest investment round, involving Scottish National Investment Bank (SNIB), the British multinational energy and services company Centrica, and investors including Goldman Sachs, KIRKBI and Mosaic Capital, will fund construction of the first phase of the Hunterston project, a “stability island”, which will provide system support to the electricity grid.

The Concept Of The Stability Island

This paragraph describes the concept of the Stability Island.This stability island is a key component of Highview’s LDES system. It can operate independently of the energy storage elements and will deliver critical inertia, short circuit and voltage support to the UK power grid. The asset will support the grid at a location that faces considerable stability challenges. In turn, this will enable more power to be transmitted from the point of generation in Scotland to areas of high demand, preventing curtailment of wind energy across Scotland

A large amount of energy will be routed through Hunterston from Scotland to England, Wales and the island of Ireland and the stability island will tightly control the flow of energy.

The Facility At Hunterston

These two paragraphs describe the facility at Hunterston.

As well as the stability island, the facility at Hunterston will also eventually incorporate a hybrid long duration energy storage system, combining both liquid air storage and lithium-ion batteries for greater operational performance. This means that the entire facility will be able to send more power to the grid for longer, in a flexible way, maximising the asset for the benefit of the system operator.

The energy storage element of the Hunterston facility received significant validation recently, when it was named as an eligible project for Ofgem’s Cap and Floor support scheme for long duration energy storage, along with a planned facility at Killingholme, Lincolnshire.

I suspect the Stability Island will actually distribute the energy to where it is needed.

November 19, 2025 Posted by | Energy, Energy Storage | , , , | Leave a comment