How do you quickly evaluate the capacity of the distribution network to accept a new generation site? This article describes a software development project that provides information on the UK electrical distribution system and offers an initial assessment service for connection of generation plant. The information is presented on a map background and in automatically generated reports, and it is made available on a website.

By Christine Barbier, Peter Reay and Victoria Gosling, Econnect Ltd, UK, and Dave Curry and Angela Morgan, Imass Ltd, UK