The Connectology® Podcast by Roadnight Taylor

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

This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it.

Our links:

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]

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

This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it.

Our links:

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]

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

This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it.

Links mentioned in the podcast:

Connections Reform queue management milestone calculator

Connections Reform blog by Jack Presley Abbot

Our links:

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]

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

This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it.

Links: 

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]

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

This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it.

Links: 

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]

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

This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it.

Links: 

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]

All five of our Connectologists® come together in this Grid News and Views episode of the Connectology® Podcast to discuss hot industry topics, including:

Recorded 26 March 2024

This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it.

Links: 

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]

This podcast, with guests Adam Miller and Nick Clark of ESP Utilities Group Ltd, helps the varying connections customer types to understand the independent distribution network operator (IDNO) market, how it is segregated and what IDNO connections have to offer for their development projects.

Recorded October 2023

This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it.

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]

In this podcast, Roadnight Taylor's Connectologists® Kyle Murchie, Pete Aston and Catherine Cleary discuss the Hydrogen development market and various opportunities and challenges around connecting the different types of hydrogen projects to the grid, including:

To find out more and to get your questions answered by our team of expert Connectologists® in a live Q&A session, join our webinar on Wednesday 20 March at 10am. Register in the link below.

Recorded 1 February 2024

This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it.

Register for webinar: Unlocking the potential of hydrogen: exploring grid connections for hydrogen schemes

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]

With some 700 schemes about to receive an agreement to vary from National Grid ESO, Connectologists® Kyle Murchie, Pete Aston and Catherine Cleary set out the three reasons why, the differences between these cohorts and the risks and opportunities associated with each.

They explore accelerated connection opportunities, connection offer milestones, curtailment risk and securities implications.

They highlight differences between these agreements to vary and “business as usual” mod apps, and flag the interaction between mod apps and milestones, termination risk and the critical dates to be aware of. 

Recorded 01 February 2024

This content was recorded on an earlier date. The connections landscape changes rapidly, so please treat any facts, figures, and guidance as a point-in-time view and verify current information before relying on it.

Our links: 

Podcast: Transmission milestones – who they affect and how, and where to find out more

Transmission queue management – milestones calculator

Podcast: Are your projects’ curtailments about to get a lot worse?

Webinar: Understanding outage risk - transmission

Webinar: Understanding outage risk - distribution

Website: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/connectology/

Newsletter sign up: https://roadnighttaylor.co.uk/newsletter/

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/roadnight-taylor-ltd/

Talk to us at [email protected]