Ofgem, ENA, G83/2 and the DNO's

[Worcester]

Had an interesting session today with the above, ofgem ENA and the Senior network planners or those in charge of Distributed Generation (DG) from WPD, Scottish Power, SSE, UKPowerNetworks and Northern Powergrid

They all know that they have had a bad reputation for dealing with Distributed Generation (DG) and from the messages it seems like they've all had to get their act together.

Specifically SSE and UKPN were made to eat humble pie and embarassed in front of their colleagues from other DNO's quite a fewa times by a number of different people.

Net effect, if you've got a G59 application to submit they are now more than happy to talk first, they all confirmed that one of the big problems they are facing is trying to cope with the reverse flow of large amounts of DG, so would like to talk early to see if there are alternative locations or ways of optimising a location.

Here are the key people:
Northern Powergrid: Derek Fairburn / Mark Johnston
UK Power Networks : Jim Basey / Steve Foster
WPD: Your local area office - call them and they will happily meet with you face to face if you want
SSE: up to 50kW Simon Roberts >50kWp Gary Bartlett
Scottish Power: Paul Brown


G83/2: I brought up the subject of the potential Postcode Lottery for installers, and it was absolutely clear that they had not considered the commercial aspects of this. The change was a DNO centric driven one based on the unscrupulous behaviour of sonme installers NOT pre-applying and also some putting notifications in simply spread over time to get around it. After a bit of discussion ofgem suddenly realised they they were handling the consultation, and they were also under the impression that consultions was still open... so there is still time to get the message over. One of the options considered to level the playing field was to make online maps available showing areas were G83/2 would be applied for >3.68kW, they all come up with a few exceuses why this would take time, however they did acknowledge that they do have the information available to them. They most likely outcome was that they would offer a vary rapid turnaround to those specific applications.

For other areas where G83/2 is needed for 3.68 - 4kWp, the off the record answer from WPD engineers is that they would simply go through on the nod as there was no significant impact on the network if it was 3.68kwp or 4kWp, so their internal policy is to treat them the same.

Hope that helps.

 

[Gavin A]

consultation is closed on G83/2 officially, though they did say they'd be taking views from these forums into account as well, they were talking about releasing it at the end of this month, though I suspect that'll get pushed back a bit.

Worcester - do you have contact details for Northern Powergrid folk? I'm wondering about setting up a meeting between installers and them in the Yorkshire area to see if we can get things a bit more workable, as the current situation is silly.

 

[Worcester]

@GavinA, sorry didn't get the guys from NP's business cards, just spoke with Derek at length. I did mention that I knew some people based in Leeds that would like to meet and he was very open to that approach.

You could try thos route as a start:

Network Connections Future of Connections Event
Network Connections is holding the second of its 2012 biannual connections briefings as part of our continued programme of customer engagement.
Date: Tuesday 20 November 2012
Venue: National Railway Museum, York
If you are interested in joining us and wish to receive an invitation, please send your details to Gillian Horner, Business Process Manager at [email protected] or telephone 07921 112 110.
Please note that this event was originally due to take place on Thursday 18 October but has been rescheduled. Our apologies for any inconvenience this may have caused.
http://www.northernpowergrid.com/page/stakeholder/forthcoming.cfm

 

[Worcester]

Or these: Forthcoming engagements

[h=2]2012 Connection Customer Surgeries[/h] Northern Powergrid will be holding Connection Customer Surgery days throughout 2012 which provide an opportunity for connections customers to come and speak directly to us about any aspect of current or potential connections projects.
Dates: 21 November and 19 December.
Venue: Castleford / Middlesbrough

Please find below a link to the latest edition of the Connected newsletter. The newsletter gives you an update on news, events and changes in and around our connection business.
Click here to download our Connected newsletter.
[h=2][/h] [h=2]Independent Connection Provider Customer Surgeries[/h] We will be holding Independent Connection Provider Customer Surgery days throughout 2012 which are designed to provide a greater opportunity for Independent Connection Providers to come and talk to us on a face-to-face basis about any aspect of current or potential connections projects.

Dates: 14 November and 12 December.
Venue: Castleford
Please find below a link to the latest edition of the Connected newsletter. The newsletter gives you an update on news, events and changes in and around our connection business.

Click here to download the Connected newsletter.

 

[Gavin A]

oh thanks.

I did just do a quick search as well, but didn't see that.

 

[finchy]

Great stuff Worcester ! I've currently got a domestic customer with a huge rear garden he wants to max his generation so have design various options which fall under g59 7kw and 8kw. I wanted to chat to someone to get a feasibility costing etc but they pointed me to the form.

 

[Worcester]

We've got approval for 17kWp on a single phase on one site - we discussed it with the DNO long before submitting an application.

Just bear in mind that they need most of that information to be able to give you an answer and it isn't a lot to do... and a rejection is nescessarily a rejection forever - they may have an outstanding application that doesn't go ahead, so giving them some headroom on their network, it might just be timing..