Grid / DNO & smart energy
Resolve the grid route before the equipment list becomes fixed.
Solar, batteries and EV charging all interact with the grid. Connection requirements, export limits and control strategy should be considered early in the design.
REMOVE GRID UNCERTAINTY EARLY
Find the connection route before the equipment list becomes expensive to change.
The grid conversation should begin with the whole site: existing supply, aggregate generation, storage, export behaviour and future electrical demand.
01Existing connection
Supply characteristics, existing generation and known network constraints form the baseline for the connection strategy.
02Aggregate equipment
Solar and battery inverters should be considered together where applicable rather than treated as isolated products.
03Import / export behaviour
Proposed export, limitation schemes and future EV or building loads can affect the notification or application route.
GRID / DNO ROUTE
Connection strategy should be resolved early.
Generation, batteries and EV load can alter the connection route. The design should identify the notification/application pathway before equipment is treated as final.
Technical reference: Energy Networks Association engineering recommendations G98, G99 and G100. The applicable route must be checked for the specific installation and DNO.
RELATED TECHNICAL GUIDANCE
G98, G99 and G100: what changes on a UK solar or battery project →
CONNECTION INPUTS
Resolve the connection route from the whole site, not one device.
The network conversation can depend on the aggregate generating equipment, existing supply, proposed export behaviour and how solar, storage or EV infrastructure interact.
G98, G99 and G100 are explained in the connection routes guide. The applicable route should be confirmed for the actual project rather than inferred from a generic website threshold.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Questions worth answering before the equipment is fixed.
What are G98 and G99 used for?
They are engineering recommendation routes used for connecting generating equipment to distribution networks. The correct route depends on the actual equipment and aggregate installation.
What is G100?
G100 covers customer export and import limitation schemes where limiting site behaviour forms part of the agreed network connection strategy.
Why deal with DNO requirements early?
Because an export limit, application requirement or connection condition can change inverter selection, controls, commissioning and the commercial model. It is cheaper to design around the route than retrofit the route later.
GRID CONTEXT
Grid connections and controls are part of the electrical design.
Resolve the network and control requirements early.
The applicable connection process depends on the equipment, existing supply and network conditions at the actual site.
Understand the connection
Review the existing electrical supply, proposed generation or storage capacity and whether export is intended.
Notification or application?
Determine the relevant G98 or G99 process and any network conditions before the design is finalised.
When G100 matters
Where an export limit applies, design, commission and document the relevant export-limitation controls and monitoring.
CONNECTED ENERGY SYSTEM
Move between the parts of the system without starting over.
Solar generation, storage, EV charging and grid constraints affect each other. Use these routes to keep the project connected.
Talk to an engineer
Tell us what you are planning and we will route the enquiry to the right next step.