Universal Registration Document 2022

3.1.4.2 Setting the conditions for the efficient development of sober electricity uses

3.1.4.2.1 A more robust, intelligent and flexible network

Thanks to renewal programmes, scheduled renovation and use of underground lines rolled out by network operators in high-risk climate zones, the frequency of power outages has lowered, leading to a reduction in the average outage time per customer.

In 2022, the average outage time, excluding transmission incidents and exceptional incidents, was 59.5 minutes (figures are not final). This good result is in line with the target of 62 minutes set in incentive legislation as part of the Tariff for Using the Public Electricity transmission and distribution Networks (TURPE), despite several events that put the resilience of networks to the test. Indeed, the year began with several storms: Eunice (classified as an exceptional event in Nord-Pas-de-Calais and Somme) and Franklin in February, followed by Diego in April. The summer saw thunderstorms (with an impact on aboveground networks) and several high-intensity heatwaves of unprecedented duration (with an impact on underground networks).

3.1.4.2.1.1 More “intelligent” (smart)

In terms of smart grid technology, the 20kV high-voltage network is already smart since it is supervised and equipped with automated power restoration. It has been further improved with the incorporation of smart fault detectors on the aboveground network and remotely operated control mechanisms. These devices are now continuously monitored to ensure they are working properly; software updates can now be carried out remotely. For the LV network, the deployment of smart meters by Enedis now enables us to have a real-time vision of the characteristics of the electricity at the individual customer level. In areas not interconnected with continental Metropolitan France, and outside Europe, Enedis and EDF are continuing to install connected electricity meters, allowing consumers to monitor their electricity consumption.

As of the end of 2022, 40.6 million meters had been installed, including almost 36.6 million in France ⁽¹⁾ as well as in the United Kingdom and India.

3.1.4.2.1.2 More flexible

Roadmap

In 2020, Enedis, in its capacity as distribution network operator, published its roadmap for the transformation of network scaling methods and integration of flexibilities.

Flexibility contracts

The new version of the Contract for Access to the Public Distribution Network (contrat d’accès au réseau public de distribution, CARD) for production installations connected at medium voltage (HTA) ⁽²⁾ was finalised in late 2022 and came into effect on 1 January 2023. It takes into account network flexibility and availability, thus allowing a maximum amount of energy to be dispatched while also factoring in operating constraints and public grid maintenance.

“Smart Connection” offer

Since end-2021, Enedis may offer an alternative connection offer with power modulation, also known as the Smart Connection Offer, to all high-voltage producers on request.

Regional plans for the grid connection of renewable energies

Enedis is testing a new method for the scaling of renewable energy Regional Network Connection Plans in real-life conditions at 8 source substations in the Landes and Somme regions, the immediate effect of which has been to free up over 200MW of connection capacity as a result of greater flexibility (ReFlex Project).

Enedis ranked no. 1 in the global Smart Grid Index

For the second consecutive year, Enedis has topped the world rankings out of 80 network operators in the Smart Grid Index (SGI) international benchmark, which assesses how “smart” electricity networks are worldwide ⁽³⁾.

3.1.4.2.2 Better management of intermittence, flexibility and storage development

3.1.4.2.2.1 Innovative solutions for load balancing

Customers receiving high-voltage supply are invited to sign up to a load balancing contract, under the terms of which customers reduce their electricity use as requested by EDF in return for compensation.

The EDF group has several load balancing offers, operated by its subsidiary Agregio:

• the “Capacity Commitment” offer allows customers to commit to reducing their power use on terms defined on the basis of their capabilities (time periods, notice periods, etc.);
• the “Load-balancing Bonus” offer available since late September 2022 is more flexible for customers, with a lesser degree of commitment allowing them to consent or refuse to reduce their power use with 2 days’ notice;
• bespoke offers are also made for the most sophisticated industrial and service customers for whom load balancing issues require a tailor-made offering;

3.1.4.2.2.2 Innovative solutions for self-consumption and storage

Storage plan

The storage development strategy launched in 2018 has led to approximately 1.2GW of projects being secured or completed by the end of 2022. In 2022, the Group commissioned battery installations totalling 62MW in Non-Interconnected Zones (NIZs), the UK, and the USA, started construction work on new projects, and expanded the development of projects in the UK and the USA. EDF group storage projects involve pumped-storage hydropower plants (STEPs), hybridisation of batteries with renewable energies, batteries directly connected to the network, and storage with customers.