National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) Smart Meter Innovation and Test Network (SMITN) Project
UK (East & West Midlands, South West England and South Wales, specifically Milton Keynes area for testing) · Ongoing (project registered by Western Power Distribution, later NGED)
The judgement call
Account-gated at launchThe project successfully established a validated LV test network for testing algorithms using smart meter data [114]. - Improved understanding of smart meter data availability, response levels, and inaccuracies in asset data [114]. - Developed and validated methods for phase and feeder identification, and identified potential methods for determining LCT locations [114]. - Emphasized the importance of good quality data for network planning, safety, automation, and efficiency [114].
Key engineering challenges
Insufficient visibility of grid-level operations, making it difficult to manage the energy transition and Low Carbon Technologies (LCTs) [114]. - Resolving connection uncertainties (e.g., unknown customer phase and feeder connections) and asset data inconsistencies [114]. - Data quality and availability issues, including limitations in retrieving data and previously unknown issues with legacy data [114]. - Challenges in phase and feeder identification due to conductor crosses, phase rotation, and poorly defined smart meter groups [114]. - Accurate detection of LCTs (e.g., EVs, PV installations) and estimation of LV feeder/substation load profiles [114].
Project facts
- Client / owner
- National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED, formerly Western Power Distribution - WPD)
- Lead contractor
- NGED (project management), CGI (algorithm selection, data processing environment, data science algorithms, DCC Adapter), HAYSYS (Feeder Finder development), GHD (independent validation), Smart Grid Consultancy (project management support), Power Projects Ltd (additional support for feeder survey) [114]
- Lead designers
- CGI, HAYSYS, Loughborough University (for algorithm selection and local knowledge input) [114]
- Project type
- research; upgrade
- Scale
- Serves 8 million customers, established a validated LV test network, phase data for 8,790 customers, feeder connectivity for 125 customers [114]
- Disciplines
- Electrical engineering; data science; network engineering; software engineering; civil engineering
- Standards & frameworks
- ENA Innovation Portal guidelines, relevant UK electricity distribution regulations.
Sources: [114] Eurelectric. CGI: National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) Smart Meter Innovation and Test Network (SMITN) Project. https://www.eurelectric.org/stories/cgi-national-grid-electricity-distribution-nged-smart-meter-innovation-and-test-network-smitn-project/ (Accessed: 2026-06-10).