Project Summary
REACT (Rapid Evaluation Areal Connection Tool) 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. Users will be able to identify the best possible locations to connect to the network, based on dynamic geospatial and network information, as well as a view of future demand and generation requests. This will streamline the connection process where limited pre-application information impacts formal applications. Optimising the location of demand and generation will increase the efficient use of existing assets and the effective roll-out of new infrastructure.
Innovation Justification
Challenge theme
The project addresses Challenge Area 3 and theme 'strengthening the UK's energy system robustness to support the efficient roll-out of new infrastructure'.
Discovery to Alpha Learning
Discovery provided a clear understanding of pre-application process challenges. REACT's now focuses on identifying and sharing early insights on constraints, aiding grid connection decision-making specifically the pre-application stage, as opposed to addressing the entire connection request process. Grid access is a critical consideration for large-scale energy customers and early and reliable information is vital to making efficient, cost-effective, and deliverable connection applications.
Discovery has established the technical development approach:
1. Data sources: The near-term treatment and visualisation of network power flow required utilising exported power flow models (Siemens PSSE or DIgSILENT Powerfactory). The tool will be developed to integrate with longer-term SSEN power flow and connection digitalisation programmes, avoiding duplication.
2. Data modelling and visualisation: new opportunities to enhance the useability and accessibility tool whilst avoiding demanding computations e.g., SSEN's PI historian network data provides a statistical understanding of intra-day/seasonal flow behaviour useful for developer discussions.
Stakeholders
REACT has connected with relevant SIF projects featuring power flow modelling, visualization and connection management: Powering Wales Renewably (NG-ESO); DNIM (SGN); Supply Chain Resilience in The Transition (National Gas Transmission); Connectrolyser (UK Power Networks).
REACT also interviewed hydrogen developers in SSEN-T's area including Statera (3GW Kintore hydrogen project) regarding pre-application site optimisation.
Other relevant stakeholders interviewed included Crown Estate Scotland; Roadnight Taylor grid consultants; Supernode transmission technology developer and Energy Systems Catapult.
These conversations confirmed there is no duplication of REACT's planned scope, but some useful project synergies and relationships to be deepened during Alpha.
Innovative Aspects
REACT's core innovation combines two traditionally distinct capabilities into one user-friendly tool allowing developers to easily identify the optimal location for future connections:
*Spatial Planning: incorporating current/future power and gas infrastructure, allowing users to understand alternative grid connections and optimise the location of future developments. This requires aggregation and integration of multiple spatial datasets, including new data for early-stage projects and online measuring tools to quickly screen cable routes.
*Power flow modelling: The tool will approximate the impact and feasibility of connections before application, dynamically considering other connection requests.
Once delivered, the tool will be a powerful enabler for further innovation as a comprehensive and easy-to-use energy system planning tool accessible to planners, developers, government and researchers designing the net zero network.
Comparison to State-of-the-Art
Spatial Planning, Power flow modelling- REACT will integrate disparate and often incompatible datasets into one tool: Transmission Entry Connection Register, Electricity Ten-Year Statement appendices, Renewable Energy Project Database, secondary datasets including land-use, gas infrastructure, water supply; SSEN GIS shapefiles and power flow outputs.
Data visualization- REACT will use cutting-edge spatial data processing and interactive JavaScript-based web developer frameworks (e.g. Sveltekit), embedded Business Intelligence products and geographic mapping platforms, browser and mobile device accessible and surpassing traditional GIS solutions.
Size/Scale
Alpha is framed around hydrogen developments ensuring it is sufficiently narrow in scope for timely delivery. The tool will be accessible to other organisations via its web-based platform, enabling the rapid uptake of additional network operators and developers.
SIF Funding
The innovative/risky nature of REACT means it cannot be funded through business-as-usual activities as there is no certainty of success.
Counterfactual solutions and approaches
There is no known network visualisation tool offering this functionality at the pre-application stage. The counterfactual would be waiting 2-3 years for a traditional IT Project to deliver an improved digitised power flow visualisation capability, developing this into a pre-application tool, 4-5 years in total.
Impacts and Benefits
Impacts and benefits description
REACT will deliver the following net benefits to consumers:
Financial - Cost savings for users of network services
High demand for grid connections, such as large-scale hydrogen electrolysers and generation assets, has resulted in expensive connection offers being made to developers, many of which have long lead-times. This is due to the large volumes of capacity requested and limited availability on the network. Many incoming requests trigger costly reinforcement work of the network, which delays the connection of these developments, thereby slowing down the energy transition and increasing consumer bills.
REACT's pre-application tool will give developers increased early network insights and visibility of optimal network connection points for these sites, which could deliver large cost and time savings. Providing a more up-to-date integrated view of all potential network connection requests will be an enabler for improving the efficiency of the network, and provide the opportunity to reduce system constraints, curtailments and TNUoS (Transmission Network Use of System) charges. Total annual cost avoidance is projected to average £20.8M in the period 2024 to 2031. In addition, early visibility of this holistic and comprehensive view will allow for more streamlined pre-application discussions between developers, the ESO, and the TO, resulting in time and resource savings for the developer and SSEN-T and reducing the risk of repeat applications.
Environmental - Direct CO2 savings per annum against a business-as-usual counterfactual
REACT will reduce the carbon emissions of building new infrastructure which would be required for the increase in connection requests. By utilising the existing network in a more optimal way, for example, exploiting locations of spare capacity or low constraint, REACT will deliver direct environmental benefits.
Environmental - Indirect CO2 savings per annum against a BaU counterfactual
Carbon reductions will be investigated to identify the amount saved through reducing the delivery delays of hydrogen and other projects while taking into consideration the ESOs and SSEN-T's North of Scotland future energy scenarios.
New connection requests are currently subject to long lead times, due to the large volume of applications being processed, as well as the increasing need for network reinforcements. By providing a combined geospatial and power systems view -- enabling developers to submit targeted applications considering both technology-specific land requirements as well as optimal grid connection points -- the tool will help limit the volume of application requests as well as reduce the need for network reinforcement. Furthermore, the strategic planning insight provided by the tool will reduce the hurdle to market for new hydrogen and other developers entering the market. These factors will accelerate the connection process for key developments needed to achieve a timely Net Zero transition.
New to market - products, processes, and services
REACT is new to the market and will combine power flow modelling and spatial planning tool, making it a unique innovation. The license would be jointly owned by the developing parties during the SIF process. As the tool developer, Olsights would administer license agreements on behalf of the joint owners. Licensees would enjoy commercial use of the tool, either as an adapted version for their own jurisdictions or as part of a broader software package. The SME partners (Olsights, MapStand) could see significant business-growth if this tool is rolled-out across the industry. By combining multiple processes (spatial planning and power flow modelling) into one, REACT will streamline the connections process and provide quicker results for developers, in turn accelerating the uptake of renewable technologies and supporting the rise in green jobs across GB.
