The Connectology® Podcast by Roadnight Taylor

#45 The impact of the transmission network on distribution demand applications

In our latest podcast, the Connectologists® explore the future of electricity networks and the big changes shaping them. Our experts, Philip Bale, Kyle Murchie, and Pete Aston, unpack how distribution and transmission networks interact, starting with the basics of how demand forecasting has worked in the past and how it’s evolving.
The podcast investigates how DNOs have traditionally used the "Week 24" process to predict demand, while also managing challenges like regional differences and the impacts of events like COVID-19 on energy use.
Next, they dive into how new technologies—like large-scale battery storage, hydrogen electrolysers, and EV charging stations—are changing what electricity networks need. DNOs are now rethinking their approaches to connecting and balancing these demands.
Finally, it is discussed what it means to make energy access fairer. With a big reform set for 2025, there’s a push to better integrate transmission networks and support more equitable energy connections. Our discussion highlights the critical role of Connectologists® in bridging gaps and encouraging collaboration for a sustainable energy future.
Listen in to learn how these shifts could support a cleaner, more resilient world!
 
Recorded 22 October 2024
 
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#44 Guest Series with Dan Nicholls, Chief Product Officer and Commercial Officer at SNRG

In this episode, Connectologists® Pete Aston and Philip Bale sit down with Dan Nicholls, Chief Production and Commercial Officer at SNRG, to unpack how microgrids are transforming our energy systems and paving the way to decarbonised communities.
Key Topics Covered:
The Shift to Microgrids: Microgrids are becoming essential in rethinking energy use across residential, industrial, and commercial settings, especially as we transition to electric heating and vehicles. Unlike traditional energy systems, microgrids operate independently from gas utilities, with support from independent distribution network operators to overcome regulatory challenges.
Localising Energy Use: Microgrids go beyond energy efficiency; they revolutionise community energy management. Dan explains how these systems relocate energy meters to the community's edge and integrate shared battery systems, which helps reduce costs and improve energy efficiency by localising consumption.
Towards Net-Zero Communities: The episode explores the potential of microgrids to build net-zero communities, like the partnership with St Martin Homes in Birmingham, where SNRG is integrating electric vehicle charging with microgrid technology. Dan discusses the regulatory and market challenges, stressing the need for fair access as we accelerate decarbonization efforts.
This episode is a valuable listen for anyone interested in the future of sustainable communities and the innovative role of microgrid technology in achieving them.
 
Recorded 12 September 2024
 
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#43 How did we get here? A review of recent changes to connections policy

At the minute, it’s easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of Connections Reform. But with the grid connections industry undergoing significant changes in recent years, it’s important to reflect and consider the alterations which have been made. In this episode of our Connectology® podcast, we are joined by Catherine Cleary, Pete Aston and Nikki Pillinger who discuss what these shifts mean for the future of grid connections, setting the scene for 2025 and beyond.
In this episode, the Connectologists® kick off by examining how the connections market has evolved over the years. Catherine draws from her deep expertise to offer insights into the transmission landscape before it was overwhelmed with applications—one of the key drivers of today’s challenges. The discussion also highlights how developers and both distribution customers and employees have had to adapt and learn new policy changes, longer connection times and shifting cost impacts.
Throughout the episode, the Connectologists® discuss several major developments over recent years that have shaped the industry's current landscape, including the Significant Code Review, Transmission Charges, the ESO's 5-step plan, the 2-step offer process, technical limits, and Connections Reform.
To wrap up the episode, the Connectologists® discuss what lies ahead for the industry, such as: strategic spatial energy plans, government intervention, bay allocations and sharing, and Labour’s clean energy plan by 2030, which has been explored further in our recent Connectology® podcast.
Tune in to explore how the industry has adapted and is preparing beyond 2024. This is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of grid connections and the evolving energy market. 🎙️
#Connectology #ConnectionsRefom #Podcast #EnergyTransmission #DNO #ESO #CleanEnergy #FutureofEnergy
 
Recorded 04 September 2024
 
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#42 Repurposing Transmission Connections

In this podcast, “Repurposing Transmission Connections”, our Connectologists® Kyle Murchie, Philip Bale, and Catherine Cleary, discuss the rapid changes happening in the transmission industry. The conversation focuses on providing an update for those with ongoing or upcoming projects, especially in light of the new TMO4+ process.
Over the years, transmission connections have shifted from large generators and huge manufacturing or industrial sites to more diverse connections, including renewable energy projects, batteries, hydrogen, and data centres. We’ve been seeing projects exploring is they can make changes to their transmission connections and our Connectologists® wanted to discuss this further for our listeners.
Kyle Murchie, who has worked alongside working groups and industry professionals throughout the recent Connections Reform consultation, shares how the industry is moving towards formalizing a policy at the transmission level, including new terminology which is based off what constitutes as a significant or minor change, and how the annexes acquired from the CMP434 consultation will still require redrafting.
Key topics within this episode included: battery connection changes, queue positions, non-embedded final demand sites, cross-border differences among TOs, Mod Apps and the difference between allowable and material changes. The Connectologists® explore these key topics further by examining the potential unintended consequences, such as the unprecedented rise in connection applications, which has led to a significant increase in connection offers.
During the episode Philip Bale emphasised the need for a retrospective review of the process to ensure clarity at every stage to help minimise these unintended consequences and provide reassurance for everyone across the industry. Although the ESO has provided some initial guidance, though it’s a starting point – the finalised future policy remains uncertain.
Make sure to stay tuned and up to date with our Connectology® podcasts, as there will be further updates in the next few months!
 
Recorded 22 August 2024
 
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#41 Decarbonising by 2030 - can GB achieve it?

Join the Connectologists® Kyle Murchie, Pete Aston, and Nikki Pillinger as they dive into the rapidly changing landscape of energy decarbonisation in Great Britain.  
As we transition from summer to autumn and the nights draw in, the urgency around decarbonisation has never been more pressing. With a bottleneck in electrical connections, an unprecedented level of planned infrastructure, and geopolitical risks, all against the backdrop of the first change in government in 14 years, the stakes are higher than ever. 
In this episode, the Connectologists® explore the feasibility of achieving a clean power system by 2030, Labour’s plans for net zero. They examine how we can realistically transition towards cleaner energy, the mix of technologies required to achieve this goal, potential alternative approaches and the strategic reserves required. 
After assessing Labour's 2030 targets and the measures in place—or still needed—to support them, the Connectologists® look beyond 2030, emphasising the importance of looking beyond this date and continuing decarbonisation efforts across sectors such as transport and heating systems, while also considering the impact on both embedded and demand customers. 
With 2030 soon approaching as we move into 2025, will we achieve a clean power system by then? 
 
Recorded 18 September 2024
 
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#40 Grid News and Views #9

Our Grid News and Views series is back for another episode! We are joined again by four of our brilliant team of Connectologists ® at Roadnight Taylor, Catherine Cleary, Kyle Murchie, Nikki Pillinger and Philip Bale. In this episode, Connections Reform is at the forefront of the conversation, where Kyle’s experience sitting on working groups will hopefully provide some key insight.
Kyle first discusses the transitional arrangements and changes on the current Connections Reform and the CUSC Mods CMP434 and 435 in line with the responses collected from the recent consultation.
Kyle also discusses the milestone calculator, which is available on our website, so you can calculate how these proposed changes would impact milestones for your specific project – and how these compare to the milestones provided under CMP376.
Nikki shares her thoughts and opinions on Connections Reform, exploring how central government may respond in response to their ambitions of decarbonisation and renewable energy. The Connectologists® discuss the clean energy economy the government want to implement by 2030, and whether we are on track to achieve this goal.
The Connectologists® finally discuss what is next for Connections Reform and any additional measures which should be implemented to avoid any unintended consequences.
Given the pace of change, it is noted that certain aspects have developed further since we recorded this film last month - some of these points will be covered in our next podcast #41.
 
Recorded 22 August 2024
 
Links mentioned in the podcast:
Connections Reform queue management milestone calculator
Connections Reform blog by Jack Presley Abbot
 
Our links:
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#39 Guest Series with Oli Spink, Head of System Planning at National Grid Electricity Distribution.

In this episode of the Connectology podcast, Pete Aston is joined by Oli Spink, Head of System Planning at National Grid Electricity Distribution. The two discuss Network Development Plans in detail, with key insights from Oli’s experience in the Distribution System Operator team. 
After recognizing the importance of data processes, Pete and Oli discuss how Network Development plans have evolved in the last eight years, looking at the impact they may have.  
Looking to the future, they discuss the drivers behind network reinforcement and contrast the current drive that comes from new projects to the predicted drive of decarbonizing existing projects. 
Oli explains both long-term development statements and the distribution of future energy scenarios alongside the main three elements that comprise the NDP. Outlining the complex process behind the creation of Network Development reports, he goes on to highlight how they are best used and some solutions to the projected problems that may arise. 
Oli and Pete outline both long term and short-term changes we can expect to see in the next years, with an overall emphasis on how important Network Development Plans are for client transparency, and how they can champion proactivity. 
Recorded 27 June 2024
 
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#38 Grid News and Views - episode #8

Welcome to another Grid News and Views podcast, where this month, Connectologists® Pete Aston, Nikki Pillinger and Kyle Murchie are unpacking some of the most current and upcoming topics in grid connections.   
Beginning by touching on technical limits, they discuss the projects that benefit, the pros and cons of dates being brought forward, and what good and bad technical offers look like. 
This episode also addresses the ever-pertinent Connections Reform, where we have insight from Kyle who is involved in the process alongside Renewable UK, looking at solutions to some of the key problems. Kyle outlines some of the key challenges, giving an overview of the different working groups involved and lays out the main timeline we can expect to see in the coming months. Explaining the new windowed application process and giving some predictions for gate two criteria, the podcast is a good precursor to our extended webinar in July about the biggest industry change for decades! 
Both Pete and Kyle go on to discuss variations to DNO offers following second step offers from the ESO, detailing the new short turnarounds and highlighting what projects may be affected. After an explanation of the latest CUSC mod, they finish by discussing more generally about the current quality of data, suggesting how the DNO might help with clarity and the robustness of data sets. 
In a nod to the election, Pete highlights the ever-important relevance of keeping up to date in very turbulent times! 
 
Recorded 13 June 2024
 
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#37 Guest series with Laura Henry, Electricity Policy and Change Manager, National Grid ESO

In this episode of the Connectology® Podcast, Catherine Cleary is joined by Laura Henry, Electricity Policy and Change Manager at the Electricity System Operator (National Grid ESO).
They discuss the progress and impact of the various tactical initiatives that the ESO has implemented since it launched its five point plan in February 2023, and what work is left to do aside from Connections Reform itself.
As well as the TEC Amnesty, modelling assumptions, treatment of storage, Technical Limits and the Transmission Works Review, they cover letters of authority and the ongoing work on allowable changes and mod apps - and when new applications will be needed. Laura also signposts the various workgroups, webinars, newsletters and consultations - and some timescales and dates to be aware of.
 
Recorded 10 May 2024
 
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#36 Grid News and Views - episode #7

All five of our Connectologists® come together in this Grid News and Views episode of the Connectology® Podcast to discuss hot industry topics, including:
The delay in NGESO’s two-step offer process and the knock-on implications for connections customers
Publication of the ESO’s ‘Beyond 2030’ report
Clock starting and milestones for connection offers and mod apps
The new letter of authority requirements for transmission applications
Appendix G and queue management at distribution level – and talk of a new policy to allow DNOs to move projects from Part 4 to Part 2
How Appendix Gs and Technical Limits are being applied in Scotland
Rising cost and timescales in the transmission reinforcement supply chain – and the increase in ICP quotes  
Updates on SGT charging
 
Recorded 26 March 2024
 
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