Electricity North West has become the first DNO to offer for public inspection its register of embedded capacity, listing all mini-generation plant in its patch above 50kW.
ENW’s Embedded Capacity Register is a database giving an overview of distributed energy resources such as bigger solar roofs & fields, AD plant, and wind and hydro generators. Grid-compatible batteries also feature.
The expanded register now includes connections that have a rated capacity of 50 kilowatts or above. Previously the threshold for disclosure had been 1MW.
Developed through an Open Networks project sponsored by the Energy Networks Association, the resource has immediate value, says ENW, for its potential partners, from battery investors to clean power generators.
It lists information on the location, capacity, and technology type of all distributed generation and DSR resources connected to Electricity North West’s network.
So, who follows?
The database serves to provide prospective and connected customers with a better visibility of distributed energy resources already hooked up to the network.
Used in conjunction with resources as Electricity North West’s GIS heat map tool, its network development plan or policies on long-term development, it afford stakeholders clear sight of opportunities or constraints in the connections landscape. More valuable yet, it displays transparency on activity – or the lack of its – in the DNO’s connections queue. Better-informed decisions by stakeholders should result.
“We are committed to providing open and transparent data,” said Ian Povey, Electricity North West DSO data manager.
“The expansion of our embedded capacity register to include resources below 1MW will help to support the growth of distributed energy resources in our region and provide valuable insights into how these resources can be used to balance the grid.”
The expanded register can be accessed on the company’s recently launched data portal. This includes interactive maps, downloadable spreadsheets, and API access. ENW promises consistency for developers and other market participants when accessing the data.
Ian added: “The new data portal makes it easy for users to find the information they need, we encourage people to explore the portal and to let us know what they think.”
To secure access, visit ENW’s data portal here.
