Distribution network operator

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A distribution network operator (DNO), also known as a distribution system operator (DSO), is the operator of the electric power distribution system which delivers electricity to most end users. Each country may have many local distribution network operators, which are separate from the transmission system operator (responsible for transporting power in bulk around the country).

Contents

France

In France, Enedis, a subsidiary of EDF, distributes approximately 95% of electricity, with the remaining 5% distributed by 160 local electricity and gas distribution companies (entreprises locales de distribution d'électricité et de gaz or ELD). [1]

Great Britain

In Great Britain, distribution network operators are licensed by the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets.

There are fourteen licensed geographically defined areas, based on the former area electricity board boundaries, where the distribution network operator distributes electricity from the transmission grid to homes and businesses. Under the Utilities Act 2000 they are prevented from supplying electricity; this is done by a separate electricity supply company, chosen by the consumer, who makes use of the distribution network.

Distribution network operators are also responsible for allocating the core Meter Point Administration Number used to identify individual supply points in their respective areas, as well as operating and administering a Meter Point Administration System that manages the details relating to each supply point. These systems then populate ECOES (Electricity Central Online Enquiry Service), the central online database of electricity supply points. Their trade association is the Energy Networks Association.

History

Map of DNO licence areas, coloured by company group (situation as of 2010) Distribution Network Operators.PNG
Map of DNO licence areas, coloured by company group (situation as of 2010)

In 1990, the area boards were replaced by regional electricity companies, which were then privatised. The distribution network operators are the successors to the distribution arms of the regional electricity companies. The distribution network operators have a trade association called the Energy Networks Association.

As of October 2022, six company groups hold the fourteen distribution licences: [2]

GSP Group IDArea IDTLF ZoneAreaDNO companyGroupFormer area electricity boardMPAS Operator ID
_A101East EnglandEastern Power Networks plc UK Power Networks Eastern Electricity EELC
_B112East MidlandsNational Grid Electricity Distribution (East Midlands) plc National Grid Electricity Distribution East Midlands Electricity EMEB
_C123LondonLondon Power Networks plc UK Power Networks London Electricity Board LOND
_D134North Wales, Merseyside and CheshireSP Manweb plc SP Energy Networks MANWEB MANW
_E145West MidlandsNational Grid Electricity Distribution (West Midlands) plc National Grid Electricity Distribution Midlands Electricity MIDE
_F156North East EnglandNorthern Powergrid (Northeast) plc Northern Powergrid North Eastern Electricity Board NEEB
_G167North West EnglandElectricity North West Limited Electricity North West NORWEB NORW
_P1714North ScotlandScottish Hydro-Electric Power Distribution plc Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks North of Scotland Hydro-Electric Board HYDE
_N1813South and Central ScotlandSP Distribution plc SP Energy Networks South of Scotland Electricity Board SPOW
_J199South East EnglandSouth Eastern Power Networks plc UK Power Networks Seeboard SEEB
_H208Southern EnglandSouthern Electric Power Distribution plc Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Southern Electric SOUT
_K2110South WalesNational Grid Electricity Distribution (South Wales) plc National Grid Electricity Distribution SWALEC SWAE
_L2211South West EnglandNational Grid Electricity Distribution (South West) plc National Grid Electricity Distribution SWEB SWEB
_M2312YorkshireNorthern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc Northern Powergrid Yorkshire Electricity YELG

IDNOs

In addition to the distribution network operators noted above who are licensed for a specific geographic area there are also independent distribution network operators (IDNO). IDNOs own and operate electricity distribution networks which will predominantly be network extensions connected to the existing distribution network, e.g. to serve new housing developments.

Area IDNameLicenseeMPAS Operator ID
24EnvoyIndependent Power NetworksIPNL
25ESP ElectricityESP ElectricityLENG
26Last Mile ElectricityLast Mile ElectricityGUCL
27GTCThe Electricity Network Company LtdETCL
28EDF IDNOUK Power Networks (IDNO) LtdEDFI
29Harlaxton Energy Networks LtdHarlaxton (IDNO)HARL
30Leep Electricity Networks LtdLeep Electricity Networks (IDNO)PENL
31UK Power Distribution LtdUK Power Distribution LtdUKPD
32Energy Assets Networks LtdEnergy Assets Networks Ltd.UDNL
33Eclipse Power NetworksEclipse Power NetworksGGEN
34mua Electricity Ltdmua Electricity LtdMPDL
35Fulcrum Electricity AssetsFulcrum Electricity AssetsFEAL
36Vattenfall Networks LtdVattenfall Networks LtdVATT
37Optimal Power NetworksOptimal Power NetworksFORB
38Indigo Power LimitedIndigo Power LimitedINDI
39Squire Energy Metering LtdSquire Energy Metering LtdSTRK
40Utility Assets LimitedUtility Assets LimitedUTAL
42Advanced Electricity NetworksAdvanced Electricity NetworksAENL
43IDCS LtdIDCS LtdIDCS

Building network operators

A further, smaller level of distribution is the building network operator (BNO), usually a company employed by the building owner, in a large building with many meters, such as a block of private flats.

In this case, the DNO may act as BNO and its responsibility may include the sub-mains to the individual flats, or DNO responsibility may end at the first incomer, in which case the independent BNO is responsible for the secure distribution cabling 'laterals' between that point and the individual fuses and meters.

Historically such cabling would have been maintained and sealed by electricity boards that preceded the DNOs, and different DNOs supplying buildings of different sizes and conditions, may choose to adopt the wiring in the building or to insist that an independent BNO is appointed. [3] Unlike a DNO or an IDNO, BNOs may be exempted from any licensing requirement by schedules 2 and 3 of The Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence) Order 2001 [4] and this allows those responsible for the building network (such as a housing association) to employ any suitable electrical contractor on an ad-hoc basis.

Canada

In Canada, the distribution network operators are known as local distribution companies (LDC).

LDCs normally buy their power from larger companies, sometimes ones dedicated solely to wholesale supply. They re-sell it to the smaller customer. Larger customers typically buy their power directly from the wholesaler, and do not use the LDC.

See also

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References

  1. Jean Proriol, Rapport d'information No. 3307 déposé par la commission des affaires économiques de l'Assemblée nationale, assemblee-nationale.fr du 5 avril 2011, consulté le 30 avril 2020
  2. "Energy network indicators". Ofgem. Retrieved 14 October 2022.
  3. "Engineering Design Standard EDS 08-0118: Multi-Occupied Building Supplies" (PDF). 2016-04-22. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2016-07-06. Retrieved 2016-06-07.
  4. "The Electricity (Class Exemptions from the Requirement for a Licence) Order 2001".