Northern Powergrid trial to use electric vans during power cuts

Northern Powergrid is running a trial to use electric vans with on-board energy storage systems which aim to replace  diesel generators during power cuts and planned works.

Called 'Silent Power', the trial is being conducted with British energy storage SMEs Hyperdrive Innovation and Offgrid Energy and will provide a sustainable solution to restoring supplies to customers who have a power cut.

The Silent Power project will see electric vans with on-board energy storage systems quietly and cleanly restore power to customers who become vulnerable during a power cut or essential maintenance work. Up to three homes or a small community centre could be powered with just one van for 24 hours – even longer if those homes have domestic solar generation. Training was completed earlier this year and the first vehicle will be on the streets of Northern Powergrid’s operating area this month.
 
Diesel generators cannot be deployed to homes that export as well as consume power. Some areas also have access issues and generators cause air and sound pollution. So Silent Power was launched to find a quiet and cleaner alternative to enable Northern Powergrid to reach more customers-in-need. The electric vans’ lithium ion batteries are silent during operation.
 
The electricity from the Silent Power batteries aims to be more reliable than diesel generators, which can trip out – a particular problem where customers have their own domestic generation, typically rooftop solar. Northern Powergrid currently deploys more than 2,500 diesel generators annually to provide temporary power restoration during planned and unplanned power cuts each year.