REACT project re-launched to transform transmission system planning

11th February 2025: The Rapid Evaluation Areal Connection Tool (REACT) project has launched the next phase to revolutionise electricity transmission grid spatial planning and potentially save customers millions of pounds. This 12-month project aims to tackle uncertainties around queued grid connections that delay the deployment of Net Zero technologies, ultimately saving on energy bills while advancing the UK’s decarbonisation goals.

The project, led by SSEN Transmission in collaboration with energy analytics specialists Olsights and global energy mapping experts MapStand, 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 the Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The current stage is funded through SSEN Transmission’s Network Innovation Allowance (NIA).

“There’s never been a more urgent need to address organisational understanding of factors that make a successful energy project – and how they interact with one another and with networks. Our goal has always been to speed up and reduce costs of good decarbonisation developments through interactive visual tools – and we’re grateful that SSEN Transmission have chosen to take a chance on a small, innovative SME to deliver this unique network project.”
Tony Griffiths, CEO Olsights

Transforming Transmission Planning

With new Connection Reform changes set to be introduced by the National Energy Systems Operator (NESO) in 2025, the grid connection process will undergo a radical gated review approach, prioritising projects on a “first ready, first connected” basis. Additionally, the development of the UK’s first Strategic Spatial Energy Plan (SSEP) will rely on spatial planning techniques to deliver a Net Zero-ready electricity network faster. REACT is set to support both initiatives by providing accessible visualisations of predictive success factors, enabling SSEN Transmission – and other energy networks – to prioritise the most impactful grid reinforcements.

“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.”
Francis Cram, CEO MapStand

Addressing Urgent Challenges

The UK’s decarbonisation targets are under threat due to delays in connecting renewable energy sources and industrial users to the grid, largely caused by oversubscription of connection applications and uncertainty about which projects will connect. Current processes lack tools for exploring creative, collaborative solutions during early stakeholder engagement. REACT addresses these gaps, empowering planners with innovative tools to support more efficient infrastructure planning and connection management.

Innovative Solutions

Building on the Alpha Phase’s success, which demonstrated an interactive spatial web application to identify grid challenges, this phase of REACT will leverage agile delivery and cutting-edge digital tools. These will help SSEN Transmission streamline grid reinforcement planning, reduce connection delays, and lower consumer costs.

Key Features of REACT:

• Dynamic Spatial Representation: A live-updating visualisation of connected, contracted, and pipeline projects, including generation, storage, and demand schemes.
• Connection Queue Prediction: A predictive model aligned with NESO’s upcoming Connections Reform to provide early insights into Gate 1 and Gate 2 schemes.
• Likelihood Assessment: Tools to evaluate the success probability of new schemes in line with SSEN Transmission’s Likely Outcome Assessment (LOA) methodology.
• Enhanced Grid Planning: Scenarios and models to support proactive infrastructure reinforcement.

Project Benefits

The REACT project is poised to deliver:

• Improved coordination and accelerated grid connection processes.
• Strengthened technical innovation for scaling REACT into a GB-wide tool in future phases.
• Enhanced planning and early stakeholder engagement for sustainable energy solutions.
• Anticipated customer savings realised through reduced wind curtailment, lower Transmission Network Use of System (TNUoS) costs, and reduced connection application expenses.

Contact us for more information about REACT.

Further Information
REACT project NIA public notification: https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/nia_shet_0052/
REACT Alpha Phase Project Infographic : https://olsights.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/REACT-EIS-Poster-841-x-1189-mm.pdf
Olsights website: olsights.com
MapStand website: mapstand.com