THE Northern Powergrid is to pilot a new smart-grid programme to keep the lights on for isolated communities.

This programme aims to futureproof the network for a changing energy landscape for communities like Byrness, Northumberland.

Byrness, with only 50 homes is the last point of habitation on the Pennine way. Here the electricity network is provided by a single overhead powerline.

Today, Northern Powergrid is announcing the installation of a new technology innovation to maintain power supplies to remote communities like villages in Northumberland.

The £2.5 million programme called Microresilience, will use energy storage systems and innovative communications technology to keep customers connected to power.

Rochester with Byrness Parish Council said: “We are pleased to be working with Northern Powergrid on this pilot scheme.

"The Parish councillors and Byrness residents are excited about the improvements this will bring to the resilience of the network in locations prone to supply fluctuation.

“We are looking forward to strengthening the partnership with Northern Powergrid during construction and installation. It is hoped that the experience gained from this project will improve the supply for many more communities both in the UK and globally.”

The pilot is also being launched at the iconic Swing Bridge over the River Tyne. The new pilot will see Northern Powergrid upgrade the infrastructure of the bridge, installing a 100kwh lithium-ion battery system to provide power to open and close the bridge, ensuring it is resilient to a power cut.

Iain Miller, Head of Innovation at Northern Powergrid, said: “We work constantly to find innovative ways to improve our network and protect our customers from a power cut. This Microresilience project offers a blueprint to deliver the most reliable, affordable, and sustainable power possible for the parts of our network that need it the most.

“Microresilience will enable us to test and build a more robust, storm-resistant, community-centric network, with customers, communities and locations directly benefitting from lower risks of a sustained power cut. The learnings from this project will also inform a wider roll-out of smart technology across our region and the UK.”