A new design approach being utilised by SSEN Transmission has delivered an estimated saving of £30 million on its Kintore to Dyce upgrade project, the organisation has revealed.
Working alongside the Met Office, advanced use of climate and weather data has been used to reduce over-engineering, cut costs, and maximise performance across the transmission system.
The collaboration uses high-resolution meteorological data and advanced system modelling to address typical engineering challenges associated with upgrading existing transmission infrastructure.
The system uses ice mapping, corrosion mapping, and REVISE (revisiting and evaluating environmental inputs on line ratings). Ice Mapping has seen the development of a new, layered ice model that improves how ice risk is assessed during the development process for new overhead line projects. Ice build-up on transmission lines can pose operating risks from increased conductor sag, raising the risk of clearance infringements.
The new model replaces the traditional British Standard calculation for assessing the impact of ice across during the development phase by integrating Met Office datasets to reflect actual weather conditions experienced across different terrains and climates in the north of Scotland. This allows for a more proportionate and cost-effective design of assets, by minimising the need for tower modifications, while maintaining safety standards and system resilience.
Across SSEN Transmission’s current portfolio of planned projects, an estimated £125 million worth of savings associated with the use of the ice mapping tool are now forecast. The innovative approach to project design will also help support faster delivery of new connections and improve safety for construction teams, the organisation said.
Alongside this, the corrosion mapping project has developed a high-resolution model which will assess the impact of corrosion on network assets, using weather data that reflects the local climate and geography of assets.
By incorporating detailed meteorological and topographical data – including coastal influence and local weather patterns – the model is said to provide an accurate picture of asset exposure to corrosion, supporting better decisions on materials, construction, and maintenance.
REVISE focuses on optimising overhead line ratings and aims to deliver a more accurate, future-ready approach to design, using high-resolution weather data and advanced modelling. The project seeks to increase network capacity, reduce operating costs and support smarter investment decisions across the transmission system.
REVISE is being delivered in collaboration with National Grid Electricity Transmission, SP Energy Networks, the National Energy System Operator, the Met Office, the University of Strathclyde and Energyline, and has recently been awarded £5.8 million of funding through Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund, reflecting its potential benefits across the GB electricity system.
Alan Ritchie, senior manager of innovation at SSEN Transmission, said, “Across all three innovative projects, a common theme is the smarter use of modern granular weather and climate data to tackle long standing engineering challenges. By designing assets based on the conditions they actually experience, rather than by making assumptions, we can improve safety, reduce unnecessary cost, and unlock more capacity from the network we already operate. This kind of innovation is critical as we connect more low carbon generation and work to meet the growing electricity demand.”
