Inform

Completed

Other Power and Storage Technologies(Electricity transmission and distribution)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting

Project Contact
Northern Powergrid

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 April 2023

01 July 2023

3 months

£138,731

Power

Yorkshire & Humberside

Project Contact, Northern Powergrid

Project Contact, Northern Powergrid (Yorkshire) plc

The proposed project is aimed at scoping a self-serve automated connections estimator for larger sites/non-domestic buildings, that can be accessed by those considering early-stage projects. We expect fewer projects will fail or be delayed if the connections costs and options are easily accessible at the beginning of the project. Those using the self-serve tool will be able to get a better, more rapid understanding of the capacity and associated costs, with the potential for options to be provided on to how to manage the cost. This would be by exploring energy efficiency improvements or storage or flexibility on the site to help reduce the network capacity management and encouraging dialogue between the ONO and the applicant. For the applicant it could help prioritise projects that are able to go ahead without capacity constraints, seeking Public Sector Decarbonisation Scheme (PSDS) or other funding which requires quick project implementation. In urn the ONO would have a way of capturing all the considered projects in the local area which would help with it strategic planning for future reinforcement. The proposed estimator being considered in this scoping study would assess capacity for a decarbonisation solution for a site, generate estimates for upgrades and indicative costs. Based on modelling of the local system, and its current demands the solution would put indicative price estimates against each site upgrading specific attributes. This will allow the site owner to make an early and informed decision on the optimum decarbonisation route and accelerate the decarbonisation of large or complex non-domestic facilities. If taken forward to development, it would appear on Northern Powergrids website during the Beta stage. The estimator would be intuitively combined with the existing connection tool AutoOesign providing all connections applicants one seamless experience. This project will extend AutoOesigns capabilities to support non-domestic connections. AutoOesign was generated by EA Technology and combining this existing knowledge with that which has arisen from the ESCs learning from the MEP programme and Local Area Planning, the proposal is to scope out a tool that builds on known technology and insights that will unlock the challenges detailed in question 4.

01/11/23