Flexible electrical networks for a low carbon future: Network and built environment opportunities for enabling smarter networks
BRE (Building Research Establishment) is an independent, research-based consultancy, testing and training organisation, operating in the built environment and associated industries.
Flexible electrical networks for a low carbon future: Network and built environment opportunities for enabling smarter networks (IP 1/17) was written by Colin Sinclair, and published by BRE Scotland on 10 April 2017.
Equipment that delivers electricity to properties will need to be increasingly agile to meet energy demand requirements and assist in the transition to a low-carbon future. This will become crucial as low-carbon technology may increase peak network flows with surges in system voltage.
This information paper provides an introduction to the concept of flexible electrical networks. It offers an overview of technical solutions that can be applied by network and building designers, owners and operators, at either the network or built environment level, to increase flexibility in the energy system. It describes techniques tested in Scotland under the Flexible Networks for a Low Carbon Future project. It explains innovative technical solutions used to increase energy flexibility and to maintain network integrity and customer supply and service. This includes Distribution Network Operator (DNO)-led smart grid solutions that focus on increasing and enhancing the capability of existing network infrastructure in constrained areas.
The contents of the information paper are:
- Introduction.
- What is a flexible network?
- Enhanced network monitoring.
- Innovative techniques.
- Where to apply these techniques.
[edit] Find out more.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- Building Research Establishment.
- Developing system intelligence for optimising building electricity networks.
- Electricity supply.
- Energy infrastructure.
- Energy storage.
- Microgeneration.
- Micro-grid.
- Renewable energy.
- Smart grid.
- Smart meter.
- The Future of Electricity in Domestic Buildings.
Featured articles and news
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.