02/04/2010 by David Slade.

Identification and Separation of Underground Cables

When DNO or IDNO staff are spiking cables in proximity to cables from another network they shall ensure that all relevant Control Centres are advised immediately before and after the spiking.

DNOs and IDNOs will take all reasonable measures to ensure the maximum physical separation of their respective underground cables, for example on opposite sides of a road. The “second comer”, whether DNO or IDNO, shall ensure that there is a suitable means of identifying their cables, normally via the marker tape.

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01/04/2010 by David Slade.

The IDNO shall specify the site to be supplied, the demand to be met and the preferred location of the Point (or Points) of Supply (POS) to the IDNO network. Wherever practicable, DNOs will ensure that the POS meets the requirements of the IDNO.

The Point of Connection (POC), i.e. the point on the existing DNO network to which new assets will be connected, will be determined by the DNO taking into account all the IDNO’s requirements and the DNO’s wider obligations. Unless commercially sensitive, at this stage the IDNO will inform the DNO of all known requirements including the future anticipated demand for the development.

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01/04/2010 by David Slade.

The Utilities Act 2000 introduced distribution as a separate activity requiring authorisation. As a consequence, any person can apply for a licence to operate existing or newly built distribution networks.

Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs) own and operate electricity distribution networks which will predominately be network extensions connected to the existing distribution networks owned by the 14 Distribution Network Operators (DNOs). A DNO operating “out of area” is regarded as an IDNO.

This is an important change for the electricity distribution business and customers are now supplied by both DNO and IDNO Distribution Networks with operational interfaces between the networks to ensure continuity of supply.

IDNOs are licensed entities who own and operate electricity distribution networks, predominately network extensions connected to the existing distribution network, e.g. to serve new housing developments.

Currently OFGEM have issued six distribution licences to IDNOs:

Independent Power Networks Limited
Ocean Park House, East Tyndall Street, Cardiff, CF24 5GT
Web: http://www.independentpowernetworks.co.uk/index.php
Ph. 0845 055 6199

Energetics Electricity Ltd
International House, Stanley Boulevard, Hamilton International Technology Park, Glasgow, G72 0BN
Web: http://www.energetics-uk.com/electricity/

The Electricity Network Company ltd
Energy House, Woolpit Business Park, Woolpit, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, IP30 9UP.

ESP Electricity Limited
Hazeldean, Station Road, Leatherhead, Surrey, KT22 7AA
Web: http://www.espelectricity.com/index.htm
Ph. 01372 227560

ECG (Distribution) Ltd
Sterling House, Langston Road, Loughton, Essex, IG10 3FA
http://ecgdistribution.com/

EDF Energy (IDNO) Ltd
40 Grosvenor Place, Victoria, London, SW1X 7EN, SW1X 7EN
http://www.edfenergy.com/products-services/networks/index.shtml

Applications from other companies are currently being considered by OFGEM.

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