The Grid Brian Moorhead

2023 Grid Connections Reform Review: 2023 could have been one of the busiest years in living memory for reforms around how all types of new development connect to the Grid. In Part 1, Grid Consultancy Director Brian Moorhead and Technical Director David McDonald look back at the key changes announced throughout 2023, along with some highlights on what to look out for in 2024.
Brian & David will be back in Part 2 to delve into some of the key items in more detail along with some expert analysis of what it means for new projects in 2024.
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In this episode, we discuss the transition away from SF6 in switchgear across all voltages and how this might impact grid connections for energy transition projects such as EV charging, Renewables and Industrial Electrification. 
Whilst transitioning away from SF6 is necessary, managing the impact of the transition and its impact on projects and the wider energy transition is also essential.  
The SF6 transition is underway but at different speeds and scales across the different network companies in the UK, which may cause trouble for project developers.
We also discuss some of the key risks and considerations, including spatial constraints and timescale challenges, that project developers should be aware of.
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In this new episode, Brian Moorhead and David McDonald from eSmart Networks get together to discuss the capacity issues facing new renewable connections. With a large chunk of requests and enquiries to assist with 'Private wire' or 'behind the meter' connections. This episode summarises the potential grid issues with these installs and what you need to know before taking a private wire project forward.
We cover fault level impact, your legal obligations to get permission from the network operator and other considerations to be aware of when connecting Solar/Battery or Wind with a demand connection such as new commercial or industrial premises, an EV hub or a data centre.
If you want to get in touch with eSmart Network, don’t hesitate to write to thegrid@esmartnetworks.co.uk and don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss out on upcoming episodes. If you would like to request a specific topic, don’t hesitate to write to thegrid@esmartnetworks.co.uk and don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss out on upcoming episodes. 
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In this new collaboration episode, Brian Moorhead and David McDonald from eSmart Networks get together with Chris Doré, Business Development Director of both eSmart Networks and sister company TriConnex to discuss the challenges house builders are facing when connecting their schemes to the grid.
Get an insight into leading UK multi-utility company TriConnex, what they do, and the launch of their new service offering ‘Grid Dynamix’. Find out how TriConnex are assisting developers with connecting their schemes to the grid through their new Grid Dynamix service and understand the benefit for developers in the ever-changing world of electricity connections.
The team also dive deep into electrification of vehicles and heating, as well as the new future homes standard and what TriConnex are doing to come away from gas. Furthermore, with changing regulations making power more difficult for housing developers, get the latest intel on capacity crunch, SCR, milestones and much more.
Read more about TriConnex’s new Grid Dynamix service here: https://triconnex.co.uk/multi-utilities/grid-dynamix/
If you want to get in touch with eSmart Network, don’t hesitate to write to thegrid@esmartnetworks.co.uk and don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss out on upcoming episodes. If you would like to request a specific topic, don’t hesitate to write to thegrid@esmartnetworks.co.uk and don’t forget to follow and subscribe so you don’t miss out on upcoming episodes. 
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From the 1st of April 2023, grid connection regulation has changed significantly. 
On the whole, the headline is very positive in that demand connections no longer pay for reinforcement costs, subject to some exceptions. However the exceptions are more complicated than you might think.  
Whilst commercial feasibility should increase for many projects. more projects are also expected to experience time delays and the trade off between cost and time will become an increasing focus for many developers.
In addition, extra regulation has been brought in for connecting customers to comply with. 'Speculative projects' (particularly aimed at housing development) are now regulated for and more likely to be penalised whilst 'phased capacity' planning is also now a regulated thing which is encouraged through the new regulations (and likely to be essential for many projects). Flexible connections are also now more regulated, opening up even more optionality in how you connect to the grid.
In our latest podcast, we explore the complexities of the new regulations to highlight the new hurdles that developers need to be aware of and our recommendations on how to navigate the increase in both optionality and complexity of the new grid connection regime.
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With all new #Renewable and #BatteryStorage projects in GB being quoted connection dates of 2028-2038 and beyond due to Transmission Capacity Issues, Brian and David delve into the challenges driving this.
One episode wouldn’t cut it as this is probably the biggest topic in Renewable or BESS Development right now, so we’ll be stepping through the issue in a ‘Transmission Capacity Crunch’ Mini-series.
Part 1 is available now, which sets the scene by covering some background on the GB Transmission Network and its interaction with Distribution Networks, the volumes of connection applications, our 2030 & 2050 capacity targets and some of the key challenges being faced by the Grid.
In the following episodes, we’ll be getting into the challenges and solutions in more detail, along with a summary of our thoughts on what Renewable or BESS Developers & Investors should be considering. 
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