National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) and grid intelligence startup Yottar have launched a partnership to develop a next-generation digital platform designed to transform how grid capacity is assessed and help accelerate the delivery of new connections.
As electrification accelerates, the number of projects seeking to connect to the electricity system is rising rapidly.
From data centres and EV charging infrastructure to renewable generation, battery storage and large industrial loads, developers and network connection engineers increasingly need faster and more transparent ways to understand where capacity exists on the grid and when it can be accessed.
The collaboration will combine NGED’s engineering expertise and operational understanding of the distribution network with Yottar’s capabilities in data modelling and software development to create a digital platform for automated grid capacity assessment.
The platform will support the development of detailed network models to provide rapid insight into potential connection opportunities and constraints, helping both network connection engineers and asset developers make better-informed decisions earlier in the development process.
By automating key elements of capacity assessment and improving the accessibility of network planning information, the platform has the potential to streamline NGED’s connection engineer workflows, help developers identify viable projects much earlier in the site selection and development cycle, and as a result reduce speculative applications.
Beyond improving individual assessments, the partnership will explore how digital platforms can support a broader evolution of the connections process. Earlier and more consistent visibility of network capability can enable faster project development, better use of existing infrastructure and a wider range of innovative approaches to connecting new demand and generation.
Oliver Spink, Head of System Planning at National Grid DSO, said, “As the pace of electrification increases, working with innovative technology companies like Yottar will play an important role in developing the digital capabilities that help developers understand network capacity and move through the connections process more efficiently.”
Pete Clutton-Brock, Founder and CEO, Yottar, said, “We are excited to be working with National Grid, who are showing real leadership in collaborating with innovative technology companies to modernise the electricity system. By combining NGED’s engineering expertise with Yottar’s digital grid modelling platform, we have the opportunity to support connection engineers with faster and more consistent assessments while giving developers earlier visibility of viable connection opportunities.”
