National Grid have published a report highlighting the 7 key points about electricity grid connections and what they are doing to increase and improve grid connections.
- Grid connections drive the need for new substations, power lines and transformers to handle more energy.
Predicting future electricity demand on substations must be taken into account when the network is being designed.
- All grid connections can differ in size.
With different technologies wanting to connect to the grid to improve connectivity, the technology landscape is changing all the time. Those designing the network must be aware of this.
- Grid connections fall into two categories, Generation and Demand.
National Grid have already connected 90 power generations to the transmission network, including 30GW of zero carbon sources.
Demand connections are for Distribution Network Operator’s (DNOs) who connect grid supply points to enable a safe onward flow of electricity.
- Significant engineering work goes into grid connections.
Each connection requires a bespoke physical point to plug in to. Adding to transformers and other equipment to existing substations or buildings can add years onto new grid connections delivery time.
Plug-in-and-play technologies could help make grid connections faster and more flexible, subsequently decreasing the reliance on global supply chains due to long delivery times.
- Electricity connection pipelines are oversubscribed.
Rapid change in time and volume of products wanting a grid connection has led to an oversubscribed connection pipeline.
Over 300GW worth of projects have been contracted to connect in England and Wales, this is a 100GW increase since April, compared to the 65GW today.
Two thirds of projects will not be ready to connect to the grid but once they are in the pipeline, they will influence the networks design.
National Grid are monitoring the viability of projects in the pipeline to combat this.
- National Grid are taking action with industry to improve connection processes.
Alongside the Electricity System Operator (ESO), Transmission System Operators (TSO), DNO, Government and Regulators, National Grid have offered a two-step process to speed up grid connections.
This will provide space to introduce short term improvements outlined in the ESO’s 5 point plan and provide a queue management system for faster plug in to the grid.
In the short term, however, the Electricity Networks Association’s 2 step plan could unlock 40GW of capacity for local connections.
- National Grid have invested £16billion to manage the overhaul of grid connections (between 2021-2026) and support net zero goals.
This investment will enable the grid to connect and carry more electricity to communities around the country, whilst speeding up connections to a cleaner, more affordable energy system.
To view National Grid’s report, click here.
For more interviews from Solar&StorageXtra and to keep up to date with all NEW content, subscribe to the Solar&StorageXtra YouTube channel and Newsletter!
Our next event is Solar and Storage Live London, April 29-30 2024!
To enquire about interviews, submit news and press releases please contact our Editor, Regan Slaymaker, regan.slaymaker@terrapinn.com.
For sponsorship and exhibition enquires please contact Tom Moon, tom.moon@terrapinn.com.
