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DRVC Network Trials

Demand Reduction Through Voltage Control (DRVC) - Network Trials

Innovation is central to NIE Networks' strategy to deliver the low carbon electricity system of the future whilst keeping customer energy bills to a minimum. The Demand Reduction through Voltage Control (DRVC) innovation project is designed to help accelerate the transition to net-zero offering an alternative, lower cost method to manage the connection of low carbon technologies like electric vehicles and heat pumps.

The DRVC project will trial cutting edge technology within our substations which can help reduce peak demands on the electricity network without constraining our customers. This technology optimises voltages across our distribution network to induce a temporary reduction in demand on our networks during peak periods. This will potentially allow additional demand to connect to the network while delaying or avoiding the need to reinforce our networks.

We are currently undertaking network trials for our DRVC project across several regions. These trials aim to demonstrate that the DRVC technique can manage peak network demands without impacting our customers.

The trials are being run between Spring 2023 and Spring 2024 and consist of reducing network voltages at primary substations (33/11 kV) by small decrements, while remaining within statutory limits. This reduction in voltage has the effect of temporarily reducing all customers' demand and therefore reducing peak network demands. The project will also assess the potential for us to use this technique to provide system wide benefits, using dynamic voltage control to respond to system wide frequency disturbances and manage reactive power flows.

Customer Benefits

If successful, the DRVC technique has the potential to deliver significant benefits to our network customers as Northern Ireland transitions to a net-zero energy system.
Primarily, the DRVC project will allow additional low carbon technologies to connect to our distribution network and delay (or avoid) potentially expensive or disruptive network reinforcement.

A wider rollout of the DRVC technology has the potential to deliver millions in savings for customers in Northern Ireland in the coming decades.

How To Get involved

If you have received an invitation from us, we want your feedback as part of our trial. Your input is invaluable in the success of the DRVC project and understand the long-term benefits for you and all other customers.

If you would like to register your interest to participate in the survey, please click here TO registration form and follow the instructions.

As a thank you for providing this important feedback, you will receive a high street voucher worth £50. The voucher is conditional, based on the completion of a minimum of 6 surveys out of a total of 8 that we will send you via email over the course of the trial. A maximum of 200 participants will be required to contribute to this project.


Register Your Interest

(optional - this will be used to send you a convenient link to the surveys only)

  • The trials will take commence during Spring 2023, continuing for a 12-month period before concluding in Spring 2024.

  • A number of technical criteria were applied to select the networks where we are undertaking these trials and the location of groups of customers within these networks before a random selection was then undertaken.

  • The voltage of the electricity supply will be reduced by small percentages but will remain within statutory limits. The voltage reduction will be performed remotely at our primary substations and does not require any physical work at your home or interrupt your supply.

  • We expect that customers will not notice any difference to their electricity supply. All household appliances, including home based medical equipment, will work as normal. There will be no interruption to supply during the course of our the DRVC project.

  • No, NIE Networks will look after the trials however we welcome your participation in the survey.

  • Register your interest using the form above before 28th February 2023.

  • We appreciate your time in providing feedback on your experiences as we undertake this trial in your area. Surveys will be sent via email with a link to the SurveyMonkey platform. Customers who sign up and complete a minimum of 6 surveys out of a potential 8 will receive a £50 high street voucher.

  • If you choose to complete the survey, the information provided will be used to:

    • ensure that your electricity supply has remained consistent throughout the trial;
    • link your responses to your household; and
    • provide your high street voucher upon completion.

    We will not use your personal data for any purpose other than those listed above.

    All personal data will be anonymised or deleted once the trial has finished. You have the right to withdraw consent at any time and to request that any information you have provided is deleted by contacting our Data Protection department by emailing dataprotectionoffice@nienetworks.co.uk.

    For more information please see the project privacy policy.