Icebreaker One, in partnership with SSEN Transmission, Olsights, MapStand, National Grid Electricity Transmission and SGN is working on the Rapid Evaluation Areal Connection Tool (REACT). The project aims to create a geographical planning tool providing users with the ability to view electricity grid connection requests in real-time, using an interactive visualisation map.
The current process for reviewing connection requests is carried out without consideration of other potential developments which leaves little time to explore optimal solutions for the network. Assessment of the long-term cumulative effect of each request on the grid is difficult as the current system provides a static view of the potential network impact of a connection, with the view changing each time a new project is contracted.
REACT aims to revolutionise this process by providing a tool for Transmission Owners to develop comprehensive support and infrastructure solutions for high-power-demand unit developers.
This project is funded by energy network users and consumers through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a programme from the UK’s independent energy regulator Ofgem managed in partnership with Innovate UK.
Over the coming months, we will be convening stakeholders through an Advisory Group to ensure the development of the REACT programme meets user needs across distribution network and transmission organisations, and external developers.
If you would like to get involved with the Advisory Group to help us shape the future of grid connection requests, please get in touch with icebreaking@ib1.org or find out more information here.