Energy distribution network

An energy distribution network, comprising:

• a first substation connected to, and configured to supply energy to, a first sub-network of the energy distribution network;
• a second substation connected to, and configured to supply energy to, a second sub-network of the energy distribution network;
• said first and second sub-networks being electrically linked via at least one switch enabling said first sub-network, or a subsection thereof, to be alternatively connected to said second substation and to be supplied with energy by said second substation;
• said second substation being configured, upon receiving a request to supply energy to said first sub-network, or a subsection thereof, that were previously supplied with energy by said first substation, to check whether said second substation has sufficient resources to supply said first sub-network or the subsection thereof and, if sufficient resources exist, to start supplying energy to said first sub-network or the subsection of said first sub-network.

A method of operating an energy distribution network wherein a first substation supplies energy to a first sub-network of the energy distribution network and a second substation supplies energy to a second sub-network of the energy distribution network (10), the method comprising:

• isolating the first and second sub-networks from each other by at least one switch in the absence of a fault;
• in the event of a supply shortage of the first sub-network or a subsection thereof, generating at the first substation a prompt signal for requesting another substation of the energy distribution network henceforth to supply energy to the first sub-network, or a subsection thereof, which was previously supplied by the first substation;
• checking, with the other substation, whether sufficient resources are available to supply the first sub-network or the subsection of the first sub-network;
• and
• if sufficient resources exist, connecting with the second substation the first and the second sub-network to each other via the at least one switch and starting to supply energy to the first sub-network or a subsection of the first sub-network.