Improved utility-scale distributed generation hosting capacity map live
Powerco has made improvements to its utility-scale distributed generation (DG) hosting capacity map, giving renewable generation companies an even better tool to make informed decisions about where to connect their projects.
The map which is publicly available on the electricity distributor’s website now shows seasonal hosting capacity across the year - providing forward-looking estimates of lower and upper capacity in a 24-hour period for the next four seasons.
This more granular level of information provides a clearer picture of the network’s capacity to host DG so that renewable generators can see how much capacity may be available across the year, and when.
Building on the success of an industry first
Powerco released the first version of its map in March 2023.
An industry first, the map showed how much capacity the electricity distributor’s high voltage network had available to connect distributed generation without the need for additional network investment (such as upgrading lines or substation equipment).
However, this information was limited to a single MW amount based on the lowest estimate of how much generation could be hosted.
A new and improved map
The map has two new features:
- Seasonal capacity profile - showing estimated lowest and highest amount of generation that can be hosted on the network across 24 hours for each season.
- Location of Powerco’s substations - providing visibility of where key infrastructure is sited.
Ryno Verster, DSO Programme Director says the improvements are a continuation of Powerco’s commitment to providing customers with smart solutions that support the renewable energy transition.
“We want to make it easy for customers to connect their utility-scale renewable generation projects to our network. This map is just one of the ways we can do that - providing accessible and transparent information so they can confidently make early assessments about their projects before getting in touch with our team.”
“Now they can see capacity to connect their generation, not just as a static megawatt figure, but how we expect capacity to change over time - so it’s a much more dynamic picture of how much could be hosted, where and when.”
Leveling up forecast demand modelling
Making the improvements required upgrading the underlying forecast demand modelling. Large amounts of data about usage on the high-voltage network had to be converted to usable information showing network-wide seasonal highs and lows over 24-hours.
“Our network is 29,000km long, and we collect a lot of data about it. So there were a lot of data points to chew through and manipulate into something useful for customers,” says Ryno.
The company is currently investigating options to make its forecast demand modelling even more sophisticated, whether through continuing to invest in developing its in-house solution, leveraging AI, or working with external vendors.
Powerco sees the potential to use forecast demand modelling in a range of ways; from informing future network planning, to pricing, providing information to customers about capacity and constraints, or identifying areas for flexibility opportunities.
