The U.K. has made tremendous strides towards a clean energy future. As the nation inches closer to its net-zero goals, though, attention should turn to the aging power grid, which may slow progress.

An impressive 51% of consumed electricity in Britain comes from carbon-free sources, but as renewables grow, issues with the grid at large become more prominent. Organisations and government officials must consider these infrastructure-related problems and how they can address them to move forward.

The State of the U.K. Power Grid

Much of the nation’s energy grid is outdated. The average electrical transformer is 63 years old, which is near the end of these systems’ typical useful life. Even without large environmental projects, the U.K. must replace this infrastructure with newer versions before long to prevent blackouts.

Because the grid is so old, it’s also largely a one-way system. Electricity flows from power plants to customers and any excess goes to waste. Energy storage and transformers that can divert energy back and forth in multiple directions are relatively rare. While the lack of such systems may not have any tangible effects today, it becomes a problem as the grid relies more heavily on renewables.

Why Is Aging Infrastructure a Problem?

Wind and solar power are intermittent — they do not produce a consistent level of electricity and cannot generate it on demand. Consequently, generation often doesn’t align with consumption, so the grid needs a way to store excess power and support electrical flow in both directions for renewables to be practical.

The U.K.’s net-zero goals also entail increasing the amount of electricity the nation generates. Officials hope to double Britain’s electrical generation by the late 2030s to reduce dependence on internationally sourced fossil fuels. While that’s a noble goal, it means the aging grid will have to support significantly more power flowing across the country.

All told, the necessary upgrades and expansions to achieve these targets could cost tens of billions of pounds by 2030. Such a massive investment is a significant obstacle, especially considering how climate change adds a level of time-bound urgency.

How Organisations Can Work Toward Grid Resiliency

As imposing an obstacle as the aging grid is, it does not spell the end for a cleaner future. Here’s how the U.K. can build resilient, efficient energy infrastructure while managing the costs and complexity.

Capitalise on Small-Scale Fixes

While major grid upgrades will take time, communities can focus on smaller improvements in the meantime. Adding capacity and enabling two-way electrical flows nationwide is difficult, but it’s far easier on a microgrid serving just one neighbourhood.

Private businesses have already shown the potential of small-scale power distribution patches. Temporary substations have provided as much as 15 megavolt-amperes of additional capacity to last 24 months amid larger expansions. Similar projects could provide some resiliency and renewable power before the government can install larger-capacity infrastructure.

Invest in Smart Technologies

In both small-scale and broader grid upgrades, organisations should prioritise smart devices. The Internet of Things (IoT) offers several needed improvements for energy infrastructure to support renewables and expansion.

Smart transformers can analyse power consumption in real-time and distribute electricity accordingly to prevent waste and ensure the areas that need more energy get it. The same functionality makes these devices ideal for sending excess renewable power to battery storage. Other IoT sensors can alert workers about maintenance issues as they appear to enable quicker fixes, ensuring reliability amid potentially disruptive upgrades.

Emphasise Cybersecurity Upgrades

As helpful as IoT solutions are, they also pose some cybersecurity concerns. That’s concerning, considering that there were already 1,101 attacks against utility organisations weekly in 2022. Any cyberattack would add to the grid’s resiliency and cost complications, so defending against such events is crucial.

Grids must deploy automated monitoring software to identify and contain suspicious activity between IoT devices. Training all employees in cybersecurity best practices and maintaining strong backup solutions are likewise essential. Other recommended protections include encrypting all IoT data, using strong passwords and multi-factor authentication, restricting access permissions and penetration testing systems against known attack techniques.

Push for Regulatory Change

Finally, communities must urge government bodies to adapt legislation to these needs. Current regulatory processes are often too long and complex for expansion to happen at the required pace. Streamlined approvals and government support for energy upgrade projects will make the transition easier.

Public funding for such projects may also accelerate grid advancements by making them more affordable. Governments should raise awareness about the need for additional staff, funding and prioritisation of these goals if nothing else. As more of the nation recognises these necessities and challenges, multiple parties can work together to promote a greener future.

The Power Grid Must Evolve to Meet Climate Targets

The U.K.’s environmental targets are bold but important. Reducing the energy sector’s carbon emissions is a huge step in the fight against climate change, but it’s not without its challenges.

Identifying the obstacles to a cleaner grid is the first step to building one. Once organisations understand the situation, they can take informed action to address it.