MapStand Newsletter - February 2025 🌍

We've had a busy few weeks re-launching REACT, attending some great industry events and welcoming another staff member to our growing team. 

REACT project re-launched to transform transmission system planningWe’re proud to announce the next phase of the Rapid Evaluation Areal Connection Tool (REACT) project, set to revolutionise how the UK plans its electricity transmission network. REACT is addressing the delays in grid connections by improving efficiency whilst accelerating the rollout of Net Zero technologies and delivering substantial cost savings 💸

The REACT project, led by SSEN Transmission in collaboration with MapStand and energy analytics specialists Olsights will develop an interoperable data model and advanced visualisation tools to enable network planners to better anticipate and manage change around the grid connection process.

This phase builds upon the success of REACT’s Alpha Phase, completed in March 2024 and funded by Ofgem's Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The current stage is funded through SSEN's Network Innovation Allowance (NIA), this phase of REACT will focus on:

✅Enhancing spatial analytics to provide greater insights into grid connections.
✅Developing predictive tools to support upcoming connection reforms in 2025.
✅Creating dynamic visualisation models to optimise infrastructure planning and stakeholder collaboration.

Francis Cram, MapStand CEO said “The REACT project represents a crucial step forward in transforming the way we upgrade the UK’s electricity transmission network. By harnessing advanced spatial analytics and data-driven insights, we are not only enabling faster connections but also supporting the broader shift towards Net Zero whilst delivering significant cost savings to consumers. MapStand is proud to partner with SSEN Transmission and Olsights in this game-changing initiative for the UK’s energy sector.”

Find out more about this collaborative project between MapStand, SSEN Transmission and Olsights here.

Welcoming Ali, our new Senior Geospatial Data AnalystWe're delighted to introduce you to Ali Awad, our new Senior Geospatial Data Analyst at MapStand! 

Ali is an experienced GIS and geospatial data specialist, with a strong background in spatial analysis, mapping, and data automation. He has worked on a variety of environmental and infrastructure projects, applying advanced GIS workflows to support strategic decision-making. 

Ali is excited to expand his expertise in the energy sector, leveraging geospatial data to provide insights for our decarbonisation initiatives.

His analytical skills and passion for geospatial technology will be a huge asset to the team! Welcome, Ali! 🚀

We had a fantastic month of industry events 🌎

We had an amazing time at the UK CCS & H2 Summit in Leeds last month.

We discussed the challenges and opportunities within the energy transition sector and how the UK has positioned itself as a world leader in energy transition 🌎

We also attended the Energy Innovation Bootcamp in Birmingham, run by the  Energy Networks Association (ENA).

Sharon and Charlie represented MapStand and said: "We attended the Energy Innovation Basecamp in Birmingham earlier this month, where we gained fantastic insights from GB Energy and Gas networks about the technical challenges associated with energy system transition that will help us on the journey to Clean Power 2030 (CP30) and NetZero."

We contributed to a report on Sheffield SME marketing trends 📈

We were recently joined by Richard and his team from Casla, a B2B marketing agency in Sheffield, to help them with a report on Sheffield SME marketing trends 📈

Our CEO Francis shared the importance of having a strong mission statement, the challenges of business messaging during times of change and the value in having Sheffield's pool of student talent on our doorstep.

Thanks for stopping by, Casla! We can't wait to read the full report 😊

If you'd like to discuss how we can support you with projects in 2025 and beyond, we'd love to hear from you. You can contact us here.

Thanks for reading. Speak to you soon!

Francis and the MapStand team