New IEA Implementing Agreement launched to improve world’s power transmission & distribution networks
A new five year international co-operation and collaboration programme, supported by the IEA, has been launched to help countries across the world develop more energy-efficient and resilient electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) networks.
The new IEA Implementing Agreement called ENARD (Electricity Networks Analysis, Research and Development) is focusing on developing and sharing new technologies and best practice, to help tackle challenges including climate change, the growth of renewable power generation, replacing the ageing network asset base and rapid shifts in global patterns of energy supply and demand.
Eight IEA member countries have already signed up to the Agreement with still more countries considering joining, including non IEA member nations.
John Baker of EA Technology, which has been appointed the ENARD Annex I Operating Agent, explained: “The ENARD mission is to create a high level international forum for exchanging information, research and analysis, and undertaking collaborative R&D on a wide range of T&D network issues.
“Our vision is to help operators and governments across the world improve the performance of their T&D networks, with new technologies, architectures, methodologies and operating procedures.
“The results will include enhanced energy efficiency, reduced environmental impact, lower costs and greater reliability and availability of electricity to end users. This is very much in line with the request from the 2005 G8 Gleneagles Summit for the IEA to develop strategies for a clean, secure and sustainable energy future.
“Above all, ENARD will act as an unbiased and authoritative international source of information, expertise and advice for governments, policy makers and industry stakeholders.”
ENARD has already started work on the first of a series of work programme modules, called Annexes, which will be phased in over the next five years. Annex I is focusing on collating and disseminating information on a broad range of T&D issues, as well as establishing a new international structure for data sharing and collaboration. Members of ENARD will then have the opportunity to identify the need for subsequent initiatives, including specific R&D projects.
ENARD is directed by an Executive Committee made up of senior international governmental representatives, working closely with the IEA. Each Annex will be co-ordinated by an Operating Agent with specific expertise in the relevant area and will embrace industry expert representatives from the member countries taking part. Collaboration will be facilitated by an ongoing series of international workshop meetings and a comprehensive new ENARD website.
Mr Baker said: “The mission to improve T&D networks internationally has important implications in many areas, from environmental protection to national economic development. That is why the management structure of ENARD has been carefully designed to bring together and actively involve people who can really make things happen at the level of government, industry and company decision making.“
 
Caption: Members of the Executive Committee at the inaugural meeting of the ENARD Implementing Agreement in Milan recently. (high resolution JPEGs of these images are available from Andrea Heard, below).
Web Links
The ENARD website is currently under construction and will include areas for members and non-members. For more information in the meantime, please visit:
Contacts
Debra Justus, IEA
Direct Dial: + 33 1 40 57 67 67
Email: Debra.Justus@iea.org
John Baker, EA Technology
Direct Dial: +44(0)151 347 2462
Email: john.baker@eatechnology.com
Andrea Heard, EA Technology
Direct Dial: +44 (0)151 347 2371
Email: sales@eatechnology.com
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