Project LENS (Large Electricity Network Simulator) is a pioneering initiative led by The National HVDC Centre to help prepare the UK’s electricity system for a future powered by clean energy. As more renewable sources like wind and solar connect to the grid through advanced technologies such as High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) and Inverter-Based Resources (IBRs), the system becomes more complex to manage. LENS aims to build a powerful real-time simulation platform that can model the entire Great Britain electricity network, enabling better planning, testing, and operation of the grid.
Over the next few years, LENS will work closely with key industry partners—including NESO, NGET, SPEN, and SSEN Transmission—to define the needs and technical requirements for this simulator. The project will support a wide range of activities, from helping engineers plan future networks and investigate system events, to training control room staff and supporting innovation. By simulating how different parts of the grid interact in real time, LENS will play a vital role in ensuring the UK’s electricity system remains secure, reliable, and ready for a net-zero future.
