As power systems transition to accommodate greater penetrations of variable renewable energy, short-duration energy storage, particularly Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), are being increasingly utilised to maintain supply-demand balance. For many power systems, particularly thermal-dominated systems, resource adequacy is assessed using dispatch models that assume perfect foresight – i.e., that variability in demand and renewable power is known in advance to inform intertemporal decision-making. Read More

As cyber threats to critical infrastructure grow in both scale and sophistication, the question of how to effectively regulate cybersecurity for electric power systems has become a pressing concern worldwide. Which regulatory approaches deliver real improvements in security posture? How should investment in cyber protection be measured and incentivised? And who ultimately bears the cost? Read More

Silver is commonly used for plating copper contacts in power transformer tap-changers for a number of reasons: it lowers contact resistance because it has higher conductivity, it resists pitting and erosion better than copper thus giving improve arc resistance and, even with some tarnish it remains conductive. Silver can also dissipate heat more efficiently reducing the risk of hotspots.  Silvered contacts may therefore extend the use of tap-changer contacts even with relatively thin coatings.Read More

In an era where decarbonization and digitalization converge, Virtual Power Plants (VPPs) are emerging as pivotal orchestrators of Distributed Energy Resources (DER) encompassing solar PV, battery storage, electric vehicles, and demand response in modern distribution systems. By aggregating these heterogeneous assets into a unified, flexible portfolio, VPPs transcend traditional grid constraints, enabling Distribution System Operators (DSOs) to balance supply-demand volatility, enhance resilience, and unlock ancillary services at scale. Read More