At the moment, the vast majority of private wire networks are small scale and wholly reliant on some sort of connection to the national grid. Any new grid connection could be delayed until 2035 and at present the window for making a large application is closed, with no confirmed date of when it will open again. This is why autonomous microgrids must be considered.
There is a need for gas-turbines and back-up generators for many of those private wire networks that are currently deployed around the world, even though they would be used less than 10% of the time.
The success of the speedy build out of autonomous microgrids in North America is due to the use of fossil fuel back-up generators. This does not sit well with the push for renewables in other parts of the world, including the UK.
At the moment, a grid connection request is judged on the basis that a full capacity connection is needed. However, with private wire you may only require a connection 5 to 10% of the time. It is why there is a call for grid connection requests to the National Energy System Operator to be judged on, so-called proportionate demand.
There is increasing need to get local planning approval for both the project infrastructure and the power generation, as well as the energy storage scheme. This needs the extensive engagement of both local authorities and communities.
A whole mindset shift is needed. Energy users are not energy companies. Taking on power generation adds complexity to a project. There can also be a lot of uncertainty around whether both energy demand and generation will get planning permission. In some quarters there is also a perception that private wire networks are unreliable. This is not the case.
You shouldn’t have to show 100% independent firm power in order to jump the queue. There needs to be some joined up thinking between the planning process and the grid connection process. They are currently separate.
Rachel Ruffle, CEO, PEP UK
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