The Connectology® Podcast by Roadnight Taylor

The first factor underpinning Roadnight Taylor's extraordinary success-rate in High and Extra High Voltage connection applications - historically, some five times that of the market as a whole - is that it puts applications in on the right parts of the network. Second, a valuable feasibility study will also identify the network opportunity: what would need to be true for a connection to be technic...

Many developers’ grid connections – whether at distribution or transmission – are being delayed by significant transmission reinforcement works. In this, the first of a series of podcasts, Pete Aston introduces the Hinkley Point C Connection (HPC) project, with a view to helping developers understand the scale of transmission works, and what it means for connections projects that are sitting behin...

In this connectology® podcast, two of Roadnight Taylor's Connectologists® (Catherine Cleary and Nikki Pillinger) discuss National Grid's time-limited step towards addressing the long grid connection timescales - some as late as 2037 - that are frustrating the UK's clean growth aspirations. The ESO has called for expressions of interest from contracted connection customers - importantly, at both di...

Active Network Management (ANM) and intertrips can both suck financial performance out of projects. There are nuances between these flexible arrangements, and with a better understanding of each, investors in contracted projects – or even connected projects – can seek out opportunities to significantly increase exported energy (and/or import) and so increase revenues. In this podcast two of our Co...

Third party works can have a significant impact on the capital costs and the connection timescale of a transmission connected scheme. Across the industry there is an increasing understanding that third party works can bring real risks to a project, but there remains some lack of awareness of requirements, roles and responsibilities among not only the connecting customers but also the network opera...

With the threat of cancellation charges in the tens of £millions touching a significant proportion of utility-scale energy projects, now, a Development Director or Investment Director's improved understanding of the key drivers can make or save entire schemes, let alone save you £millions. In this episode, Catherine Cleary and Pete Aston (who we lose half way through!) give insight into NGESO's se...

Roadnight Taylor Connectologist® Pete Aston joins Hugh Taylor to discuss the Significant Code Review (SCR) and the tactics and strategies that could be used by parties in grid connections to game the new system. There will be many winners and losers under the new connection rules – with £millions being won or lost by developers and investors on individual schemes alone.  Pete sees understanding nu...

Roadnight Taylor Connectologists® Pete Aston and Catherine Cleary discuss the RIIO-ED2 final determinations with Merlin Hyman, Chief Executive of Regen. We wanted to talk with Merlin about Regen’s and his concerns about the determinations. £billions are at stake for investment in the development of network infrastructure and the grid and it’s crucial that this is done right to help the nation reac...

Pete Aston hosts a festive chat with two of our other Connectologists®, Philip Bale and Nikki Pillinger, to find out what they would like the networks and DNOs to receive for Christmas to help improve the connections process and the net zero energy transition. They include extra funding, support and resource for the DNOs and better joined-up strategies. They've put improved battery modelling, grid...

Gamechanger - might your generation connection timeframes reduce by a decade? National Grid has radically updated its assumptions around the operation of BESS, and therefore the impact of battery storage on reinforcement requirements. Two of our Connectologists®, Pete Aston and Catherine Cleary, discuss how this works, how and where grid queues may be freed up to allow more generation and storage...

In this episode, Catherine Cleary, one of our Connectologists®, talks about National’s Grid TEC Amnesty. This is a time limited opportunity for project developers to cancel connection offers that they have already accepted without incurring cancellation charges. Catherine identifies opportunities for the cancellation, downsizing or refining of schemes that can bring benefits for Development and In...

The dash for transmission connections started with the developer community seeking tertiary connection opportunities. Many are now being secured and transacted. In this episode, Pete Aston, one of our Connectologists®, gives an overview of what Development and Investment Directors should know about these idiosyncratic connections.   Recorded 21 October 2022  This content was recorded on an earlier...

In this podcast, Pete Aston, one of our Connectologists®, gives a brief introduction to the huge topic of the upcoming changes to how connection charges are calculated at distribution level – Ofgem’s Significant Code Review (SCR).  These changes will present both significant risks and opportunities to existing connected projects (including energy generation and storage schemes, and commercial and...