Smarter grid unlocks energy to power 5 million homes years sooner

Northern Powergrid and Smarter Grid Solutions have joined forces to unlock 1.67GW of low-carbon energy capacity across the North East, Yorkshire and Northern Lincolnshire; enough clean electricity to power around five million homes.

Image: Northern Powergrid

The project, known as Enterprise Active Network Management (ANM), will use advanced grid technology to dramatically accelerate renewable energy connections and help bring clean power onto the network years ahead of schedule.

Through the deployment of Enterprise ANM, connection dates for contracted renewable energy and storage projects will be brought forward by an average of seven years, enabling low-carbon electricity to reach homes and businesses significantly sooner than previously possible.

The acceleration of 1.67GW of low-carbon generation represents a major boost to the UK's clean energy ambitions, helping to increase renewable energy capacity, strengthen energy security and support progress towards national net zero targets. 

While Enterprise ANM represents a significant step forward in unlocking network capacity at scale, Northern Powergrid has been pioneering Active Network Management for more than a decade.

First trialled as part of its Customer-Led Network Revolution smart grid project, the company has a proven track record in developing and deploying innovative approaches that help connect customers while making the best use of existing network capacity.

Paul Glendinning

Paul Glendinning, Director of Energy Systems at Northern Powergrid, said:
"Unlocking more than 1.6GW of low-carbon generation years earlier than planned is a significant milestone for our network and the communities we serve. 
“By adopting innovative, flexible solutions such as Enterprise ANM, we're gaining additional capacity on our network, enabling renewable energy projects to connect faster and helping accelerate the transition to a cleaner, more secure energy system. 
“This project demonstrates how digital innovation can deliver tangible benefits for customers while supporting the UK's net zero ambitions."

The ANM functionality is delivered by Smarter Grid Solutions' Strata Grid Distributed Energy Resource Management System (DERMS).
Strata Grid dynamically manages electricity flows across the network in real time, optimising existing infrastructure to safely accommodate more renewable generation.
By preventing network overloads and unlocking additional capacity, the system reduces the need for traditional reinforcement works, helping cut costs and significantly accelerate connection dates for low-carbon generation and energy storage projects.

Alan Gooding

Alan Gooding, General Manager at Smarter Grid Solutions said:

"This partnership with Northern Powergrid demonstrates what can be achieved when organisations collaborate to solve some of the most pressing challenges facing the energy sector.
“Through advanced Active Network Management capabilities, Strata Grid is enabling Northern Powergrid to accelerate renewable energy connections across the region, enabling clean energy to reach homes and businesses sooner while supporting progress towards the UK's net zero ambitions."

The initiative marks a major step forward in how electricity networks can connect clean energy, replacing lengthy waits for infrastructure upgrades with smarter, more flexible solutions that remove barriers for renewable generation and energy storage developers.

Key benefits of the project:

•    1.67GW of low-carbon energy accelerated onto the network
•    Average connection times reduced by seven years
•    Increased network capacity without major infrastructure upgrades
•    Earlier access to clean energy for homes and businesses
•    Reduced costs and faster progress towards national net zero targets

By harnessing digital innovation and network flexibility, Smarter Grid Solutions and Northern Powergrid are setting a new standard for how electricity networks can unlock capacity, accelerate renewable connections and support a faster, more efficient transition to a low-carbon future.