Flexible Demand Connections: Supporting the Transition to Net Zero

Moving towards a more sustainable, greener future, means an added reliance on the electrical network. As the network evolves to meet this growing demand, flexible connections are an important alternative to traditional connections. They offer customers an opportunity to connect ahead of the need for reinforcement works. Such connections are helping to get companies connected to the grid, manage network constraints and support large scale projects in the construction sector.

What are “flexible connections”?

When a customer wants to connect to the distribution network a standard connection is generally what they are looking for: they will have access to their maximum connected capacity at any time throughout the year and standard security of supply requirements will apply to the connection. Alternatively, flexible connections, or non-standard connections, do not always guarantee the maximum connection capacity.

So why would a customer consider one of these more limited connections? In cases where there are complex network or seasonal constraints these connection types offer a way to connect ahead of reinforcement. If the connection conditions are suitable then it enables some demand to be met from the grid. It allows customers to connect while having a timeline for reinforcement works to be completed to enable a transition to a standard connection. In the meantime, they will likely still have some use of their grid connection during the year.

Flexible demand connections are possible

Flexible generation connections are widely implemented to support new generation sources being added to the grid. These flexible connections are used to enable the addition of renewable generation to the grid and to manage a number of grid constraints, both at the point of connection and upstream on the network. For example, National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) can offer Timed Connection agreements that ensure that solar generation is prioritised on a part of the network by implementing constraints on when a dispatchable generator can export to the network. This is achieved through control relays and enforced through metering.

In a technical sense, flexible demand connections work in the exact same manner. Once a connection has been assessed the constraints can be identified and the connecting customer can be informed of the options available to enable a connection ahead of reinforcement. The reason strategically constraining demand through flexible connections, especially at HV, have not been implemented is because demand has been considered less flexible or controllable. This view is changing, the wide development of demand side response (DSR) and flexibility trials are indicative of this, so networks should expand their offering to customers where it benefits both parties.

Why should flexible demand connections be offered?

So, what are the benefits of implementing flexible demands connections for network operators and their customers?

First, time to connect can be reduced if reinforcement of the network can be avoided. If a customer is able to restrict their demand based on existing network constraints, then the reinforcement required is not immediate.

Avoiding reinforcement in the immediate future does not suggest that the reinforcement will never take place. Instead, it enables it to be planned within a wider scope of works, which is likely to enable more efficient delivery.

The existing demand on the network is very variable, it varies during the day and across the months of the year. There are also increasing volumes of non-dispatchable generation on the network, like wind and solar, which will increase the complexity of network operations. Both factors combine to make a valuable proposition for timed profiled standard connections and curtailable connections to be offered to demand customers, as it increases the “number of tools in the toolbox” that network operators have to control and manage the network.

Prospective use cases

Flexible connections are not for every connection, there are many types of customers that need access to their capacity at all times of the year. However, there are some interesting use cases for flexible demand connections:

Charging at Bus Stations – to electrify a fleet of buses, there needs to be a place to charge them and as most buses are used during the day this charging will take place over night. If the bus depot is in a suitable location, then a Time Profiled Standard Connection may be useful to ensure the large volume of charging can take place when network demand is low but stops large demands during the day.

Construction Sites – these demonstrate a use case for a more granular connection agreement. Construction works are planned out in detail ahead of commencement, with aspects like the timeline of major and minor works and number of daily journeys to site by vehicles estimated in the planning documents. While electrical energy requirements are not assessed by day or hour, with experience and greater electrification, charging profiles will become easier to forecast.

Conclusion

It is unlikely that flexible connections will ever become the most common type of new connection, however they can play an important role in enabling the management of the connection queue and supporting new phased project delivery. The policies and processes that will enable the widespread implementation of non-standard demand connections are being developed at present.

The good news is that benefiting from greater network monitoring data, the distribution networks are moving towards a more flexible and adaptable operation of the network as visibility of loading on the network confirms the capacity available on the network.