Smarter Grid Solutions has launched a range of online and desktop planning tools for Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and developers.
These tools enable DNOs and developers to assess connection feasibility for conventional firm connections and managed connections. The new planning tools are already being used on a commercial scale to speed up the connection assessment process and reduce operational costs.
The planning tools have been designed and developed to help developers gain visibility of the real network capacity available, prior to applying for a connection, and to increase the quality of their connection applications. DNOs benefit from operational cost reductions, as the time it takes to process applications is reduced significantly due to the higher quality of applications received.
Glasgow-based Smarter Grid Solutions specialises in Active Network Management – a real-time control technology to integrate distributed energy resources (DER) to the grid. Its new planning tools meet the growing demands of generation development companies and DNOs, and are a complementary addition to the company’s ANM product suite.
Graham Ault, Co-Founder and Development Director, Smarter Grid Solutions, explained: “We designed these planning tools specifically to help DNOs and generation developers improve the process of applying for connections.
“The rapid growth in low carbon technologies has resulted in many more developers looking to connect renewable and distributed generation to the grid, and the DNO having to process these applications.
“High analysis costs, lengthy times in processing applications and poor visibility of available network capacity are just some of the challenges faced by developers and DNOs. These are the only tools of their kind to streamline the connections process, for both Managed and conventional grid connections.”
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