Connecting the grid

A key challenge for any large development will be getting timely connections to critical utilities such as electricity, heat, water and gas, to not only enable households and businesses to function but to do so in a way that is flexible and future-proof for a decentralized, decarbonized and digitized energy future. These connections are needed to align with the development program, and need to be cost-effective.

Both of these are increasingly challenging in a world where energy capacity is increasingly constrained and competition for capacity is fast outpacing the traditional networks’ ability to develop and invest in their networks. This has led to utility connections becoming one of the most challenging aspects holding back the full, fast realization of smarter, connected sustainable cities.

It is not always practical or desirable to locate projects in areas that happen to be unconstrained. In many cases the most constrained areas will be so for a reason.

There are various challenges being faced by all stakeholders, for instance:

Using distributed energy, locally centralized energy centers and district/communal heating and cooling networks to connect ever-wider areas and utilizing and optimizing existing energy resources like solar, wind, batteries, waste heat from industrial processes, etc, whilst exploring emerging energy generation sources like air or ground source heat pumps.

Using private wire networks (or single interconnector cables) stretching longer distances to feed-in capacity (especially electricity) from less constrained areas. Also making better use of natural or existing cable routes such as waterways and culverts rather than digging up roads.

Government regulation and policy to support the cost effective, competitive, and anticipatory investment needed in network development and long-term design; and to ensure existing and new capacity is allocated fairly and in a manner that will support the essential development of housing stock.

Use of temporary solutions to bridge the gaps between today’s network capacity and the networks’ long-term investment and reinforcement of the grid. Maximizing energy efficiency and optimizing localized demand-side/balance actions (e.g. with battery storage or EVs), to reduce overall net demand at the grid point(s).