UK Power Networks substation in Maidstone can ‘talk’ to other sites and share power as needed at peak times
Allington Energy from Waste, an electricity substation in Kent, is the first in the UK to be equipped with smart technology that enables it to communicate with other sites, better analyse power flowers and redirect energy to optimise infrastructure and cater for future needs.

Photo courtesy of UK Power Networks
The upgrade is part of the innovative Constellation trial programme and, if successful, the hope is that more distributed generators will be able to connect to the network across the south-east of England.
The Allington Energy from Waste site in Maidstone is the first distributed generator to connect to the new system following the installation of a dedicated smart substation. Five more smart substations will be installed across the south-east region as part of the ongoing trial.
The hope is that these strategically positioned smart substations will mean network operators can dynamically shift settings, freeing as much as 50% of additional capacity at periods when it is safe to do so.
These next-generation digital substations will use AI and machine learning to facilitate more energy being safely released onto the network, helping to accelerate the UK’s transition to Net Zero carbon emissions.
These digital solutions are already live on the Constellation platform but UK Power Networks is continuing to develop and test new technologies that may be added in future.
Luca Grella, Head of Innovation at UK Power Networks, says: ‘This is a groundbreaking innovation for our network, and the first of a series of smart substations which could make a real difference for our customers and the environment. Enhancing the service provided to our energy-generating customers, and making our network more resilient in the process, will go a long way to preparing our network for a decarbonised future, and will allow more renewable energy resources to connect.’
(We previously spoke to Luca about the pioneering Heatropolis heat network being developed in the King’s Cross area of London.)
Juergen Schaper, Operations Director (Energy Division) at FCC Environment, which owns and operates Allington Energy from Waste, adds: ‘As one of the UK’s leading waste and resource businesses, we focus our efforts on generating heat and power from waste that cannot be recycled. Supplying that power to an ever more resilient network via this new smart substation is a positive step forward as we too prepare to support the decarbonisation efforts of the UK.’
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