Optimising the Network
Find out what we are doing and how we can help to prepare for the future to deliver an optimised electricity network that supports Net Zero.
How we are preparing for the future
Electricity distribution will witness some radical and innovative changes during the next regulatory period Electricity Distribution 2 (ED2) as our industry focuses itself to deliver the infrastructure to support Net Zero. For example:
- We expect up to three million electric vehicles to require charging on our network by 2028.
- ED2 will introduce changes in how we charge for reinforcement with a new shallow connection boundary charging regime.
The shared challenge for us, our customers and the wider industry is to:
- Unlock the full potential of built capacity assets by developing a range of products to meet customers requirements and enable quicker connections
- Optimise the connection queue – establish innovative processes to ensure we connect those projects that are ready to proceed as early as possible, and
- Free up capacity for ‘ready to connect’ customers from slow moving or stalled projects through application of queue milestones.
Connection products
Many requests for new connections that we receive are for ‘full capacity on Power on Date’ and this is appropriate for most customer needs. However, there are occasions where, to provide the full capacity requested on the Power on Date, we need to reinforce the network or offer a constrained option.
In today's changing environment we are increasingly being asked to consider alternatives for connections where capacity may not be required in full from the Power on Date, or where capacity is only required at certain times of the day or week (for example a sports ground, or to charge an Electric Vehicle fleet). We offer several products that may be suitable to meet these developing customer requirements.
Solutions
Ramped Connection
Where the use of the connection is expected to increase over several years. We have developed the Ramped Connection:
- A connection that will supply a metered exit point at the requested Power on Date with an initial capacity, and a commitment to increase the available capacity in line with an agreed schedule, up to the maximum capacity applied for.
- This provides customers with assurance their capacity requirements for future expansions with the added benefit of lowering the charges in early years.
Ramped Connection
Where the use of the connection is expected to increase over several years. We have developed the Ramped Connection:
- A connection that will supply a metered exit point at the requested Power on Date with an initial capacity, and a commitment to increase the available capacity in line with an agreed schedule, up to the maximum capacity applied for.
- This provides customers with assurance their capacity requirements for future expansions with the added benefit of lowering the charges in early years.
Ramped Connection
Where the use of the connection is expected to increase over several years. We have developed the Ramped Connection:
- A connection that will supply a metered exit point at the requested Power on Date with an initial capacity, and a commitment to increase the available capacity in line with an agreed schedule, up to the maximum capacity applied for.
- This provides customers with assurance their capacity requirements for future expansions with the added benefit of lowering the charges in early years.
Ramped Connection
Where the use of the connection is expected to increase over several years. We have developed the Ramped Connection:
- A connection that will supply a metered exit point at the requested Power on Date with an initial capacity, and a commitment to increase the available capacity in line with an agreed schedule, up to the maximum capacity applied for.
- This provides customers with assurance their capacity requirements for future expansions with the added benefit of lowering the charges in early years.
Ramped Connection
Where the use of the connection is expected to increase over several years. We have developed the Ramped Connection:
- A connection that will supply a metered exit point at the requested Power on Date with an initial capacity, and a commitment to increase the available capacity in line with an agreed schedule, up to the maximum capacity applied for.
- This provides customers with assurance their capacity requirements for future expansions with the added benefit of lowering the charges in early years.