Electricity Connections. Simplified.
An IDNO is an Independent Distribution Network Operator (IDNO) who can build, own, and operate licensed electricity networks throughout the UK.
By being an OFGEM licensed IDNO, Eclipse Power Networks can enter into an Adoption Agreement with Developers, Contractors and ICPs and provide a financial contribution (Asset Value Contribution) for the adoption of the network assets.
Eclipse Power Networks would then operate and maintain the new network under our license obligations for the lifetime of the assets.
A Distribution Network Operator (DNO):
You can find out who your network operator is by visiting the ENA website – https://www.energynetworks.org/operating-the-networks/whos-my-network-operator
An IDNO is a Independent Distribution Network Operator who are licensed companies who design, own, operate and maintain electricity networks in the UK.
A DNO is a Distribution Network Operator who are licensed companies who can distribute electricity in specific geographical areas throughout the UK.
Both are licensed by OFGEM (Office of Gas and Electricity Markets).
IDNO’s connect to the local distribution network or to the transmission network to serve new developments and are ultimately responsible for maintainin.
DNOs distribute electricity from the transmission grid for a large geographical area, whereas IDNOs distribute electricity from either DNOs, or the transmission network, to smaller local areas. Both DNOs and IDNOs are responsible for connection line faults and maintenance.
A standard grid connection for a project
UK grid connections split into two parts
Following completion of electricity network – it must be adopted by either the DNO or a licensed IDNO (such as Eclipse Power Networks)
You may be concerned at this time about the food in your fridge and freezer. Food should keep for between 4-6 hours in the fridge and 15-24 hours in the freezer if you can avoid opening it.
If the person is also connected to our network, then we can offer extra assistance to those that need it. Please call us on 0800 0548 192 and we can help.
Our electricity network is designed in such a way that properties in the same street are often supplied by different electricity cables. This means that the electricity line that supplies your property could be faulty, but the line that supplies your neighbour’s property is fine.
We will need to individually visit and assess the site to enables our engineers to identify the reason for the power cut and before replacement equipment can be ordered and repair work can then start.
Using a generator isn’t always the simplest solution. We need the same qualified engineers to install a generator as we do to fix a fault and we would rather permanently fix the problem.
We follow standards set by the industry regulator Ofgem. This involves making payments if we do not meet set guidelines. Please see Guaranteed Standards of Performance for Electricity Distribution Companies under General Downloads.
When you have invested a lot of time and money in fish and equipment, we want to help you look after them during a power cut. Here are some tips:
If your mobile phone is running low on battery then here are a few tips to extend your battery life.
1. Use the extra power saving mode if you have it
2. Cut apps running in the background
3. Turn down screen brightness
4. Top up your battery in your car if you have a car charger
Solar panels, or photovoltaic panels, are designed to collect sunlight and turn it into energy. Although they don’t rely on the electricity network, if there’s a power cut, solar panels will stop operating for safety.
If we need to switch off your power, we’ll give you as much notice as possible, unless it’s an emergency situation.
We’ll send you an advanced warning before we carry out the work. Our letters are sometimes dismissed as junk mail. If you didn’t receive a letter please give us a call and we can check our records to ensure we have the correct information for you.
Sometimes we may need to enter your property, but don’t worry we’ll send you a letter before letting you know. This is because we may need to check a piece of equipment called a cut-out and a plug socket to make sure electricity is running safely into your property. This is called a ‘polarity check’. We will need to carry out a check in the morning, before we switch off the power and carry out another check when we turn the power back on.
We usually provide generators for customers who are medically dependent on electricity. However, we recognise that there may be other situations where a generator is required. For example weddings or funerals.
Eclipse Power Networks are seeing an increase in clients approaching us asking for information and guidance on the requirements of a Building Network Operator (BNO) and their responsibilities.
Here is an overview of what a BNO is and some detailed information we are being asked regularly. If you require a BNO or would like any more information on a BNO’s responsibilities, please get in touch.
The official definition according to the ENA ER G87 [1] is:
“The organisation that owns or operates the electricity distribution network within a multiple occupancy building, between the intake position and customers installations (i.e. their fuse board).
The BNO may be the DNO, another licensed distributor or a third-party exempt from holding an electricity distribution license (e.g. a facilities management company).”
BNO’s are exempt from any registration requirements within the Electricity Order 2001. They require a distribution license unless they fulfil the requirements of an EDNO (The distribution of less than 2.5MW load or generation less than 10MW)
A simple example of when a BNO is required is for a property which is split into more than one home (multi occupancy building), such as an apartment block.
A multi occupancy building is defined as:
“Any single building that has been sub-divided into more than one premise, for example, flats or factories that have been broken up into smaller industrial units, mixed use developments etc.”
The BNO could be an electricity license holder such as:
A BNO can appoint a third party to act as the network operator on their behalf.
In essence, the BNO is responsible for the design, installation, and maintenance of electrical installations past the intake point. If there is a fault or an issue with the cables and associated infrastructure, it is the BNOs responsibility to resolve it at their cost.
The term BNO is most often used when referring to mixed use developments and/or apartments where there are multiple, individually metered supplies to the same building.
If you are converting/redeveloping an existing building into multiple units or building a new development, you may find the following information regarding BNOs useful.’
When considering how your electrical connection is going to be configured, there are a few options available to you:
It is worth noting that not all DNOs will install an individually metered supply, so this is something to consider. Some will only offer a bulk metered supply which leaves you (as the BNO) the responsibility to install the remainder of the network.
Example 1: New electrical supply for a mixed-use development
In the offer from the relevant DNO, they offer multiple MPANS so each can have an individually metered supply. BUT the DNO does not undertake works beyond the main intake.
Example 2: Converting a commercial property which has an existing supply
There may be an existing bulk metered supply on site and potentially a DNO owned substation.
In the offer from the relevant DNO, they offer multiple MPANS to repurpose the existing supply for your apartments/retail units etc. BUT the DNO does not undertake works beyond the main intake.
In these situations, you would need an alternative contractor (either an ICP or IDNO) to install and adopt between the intake and the meter and this will be known as a BNO installation.
There are typically three parties involved in a BNO arrangement, with each owner being responsible for their network equipment:
The electrical connection from the distribution network to the intake at the building, including substations for a HV connection will be adopted by the DNO/IDNO
For a new building, the DNO/IDNO responsibility ends at the customer side of the intake, be it a main fuse supply, the feeder way on an LV board or the cable end box of a HV or EHV supply.
The connection from the intake to the individual meter points (often grouped in a basement or within riser cupboards) may also be adopted by the DNO or IDNO if they adopt your network as a fully licenced network having legal title of all electrical assets up to the meter point. This solution also dictates the need to use a NERS acrreditade ICP to install the licenced network as a design and build solution.
These act as islands of ownership within each network. The BNO has the additional responsibility of the building and the infrastructure of the building. Cabling from the contractor switch to the property will be owned by the householder/premises owner.
The DNO, a licensed IDNO such as Eclipse Power or an ICP can provide a new electrical connection for the project.
Any work undertaken past the intake to provide individual supplies can be completed by an electrician who is registered with NICEIC. However, it is best to ensure the contractor has relevant experience and therefore it may be easier to have one contractor to undertake both areas of work..
As an IDNO, we can adopt the network for the project and therefore take full responsibility of the electrical connection and assume the role as the BNO.
We work closely with ICPs and NICEIC contractors to ensure the full design and installation from the distribution network to the individual metered supplies is completed successfully.
Upon energisation, we can adopt the BNO installation and offer an Asset Value to own and adopt the networks. This is not something which the DNO can offer. Once we own the network, we take full responsibility of the maintenance of the connection going forward. This would include any repairs if required.
If you are unsure about your connection offer from the DNO and would like some advice about whether it is providing you with what you need, please get in touch.
Eclipse Power Networks are happy to assist and discuss your project in more detail.
We have vast experience in BNO installations in terms of design, as well as adopting the electrical network.
PHONE – +44 (0) 1234 486487 | EMAIL – enquiries@eclipsepower.co.uk | WEB – www.eclipsepower.co.uk/contact-us
There are three Transmission Owners (TOs) in the UK, National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET), Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission (SHET), and Scottish Power Transmission (SPT). These TOs own national transmission networks at 400kV/275kV (132kV in Scotland) and transmit power from generation to demand. These networks can be viewed as the motorways of The Grid and are operated by National Grid Electricity System Operator (NGESO).
Below this level there are Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) and Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs) who distribute power at lower voltages, 132kV and below (33kV and below in Scotland) and often supply power to domestic and commercial load.
The Point of Connection (POC) is the location on the existing network where a new connection will be made. Network Operators are mandated to offer the lowest overall cost and best engineering solution.
Point of Supply (POS) is the location on the customer’s site where the metering will be. This metering measures the flow of electrons and calculates a bill based on electricity usage, measured in kWh.
We are able to assist with a range of tasks you need when connecting a project to the grid, examples of these are:
There are pros and cons for connecting at each voltage relating to network charges and costs of assets. Typically, the larger the connection, the higher the voltage ‘should’ be for an economic and efficient connection.
A firm connection will have more than one route to power the connection which provides greater security of supply in the event of equipment failure.
A non-firm connection does not have an alternative route to power the connection and is therefore more likely to be taken off-supply in the event of a network fault. Therefore it could take longer to get back on supply, although it is a cheaper alternative if security of supply is not as important.
Statement of Works (SoW), also known as transmission impact assessment, is often used as a term to describe the process of assessing a relevant embedded generation project’s impact on the transmission system. These projects must clear this process before being allowed to connect to ‘The Grid’.
There is no official method of speeding up/improving your connection date once offered. However, there are currently reforms being investigated by NGESO that will prioritise projects by ‘readiness to connect’ rather than the traditional ‘first come first served’ queue system that is currently in place. This will, for example, prioritise projects that have met their milestones (planning permission, land rights etc.) over those that haven’t. NGESO are also rewriting the assumptions used when assessing connecting to the grid, which should also speed up connections. Specific workstreams to speed up Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS)/distribution connections are also being developed.
You do not need to have agreed planning permission by the time you apply for a connection, however you must provide an estimated date that planning permission will be agreed. Attaining planning permission is a contractual milestone.
A few possible constraints are:
ANM is a method for DNOs to alleviate capacity constraints by controlling power generation. This avoids the need for costly asset upgrades. Control systems monitor limits on the network and automatically allocate capacity to customers, typically according to the Last In First Out (LIFO) principle where ‘older’ connections are prioritised over recent additions. Connections at the bottom of the stack will be constrained first. ANM details are provided at the network offer stage.
Non-contestable works are works that can only be performed by a licensed DNO/TO. Contestable works can be performed by a DNO/TO AND by a NERS accredited party, this is often an Independent Connection Provider (ICP). An IDNO is able to adopt contestable assets from an ICP once constructed, but not able to adopt non-contestable assets.
Distribution:
Transmission:
For both Distribution and Transmission connections, new sole-use connection/extension assets are fully funded by the connecting party.
Value engineering, flexibility of standards, capital contributions, statutory undertaker powers, metering flexibility – just to name a few. We have prepared a more detailed list of reasons why using an IDNO can be beneficial, click here to view this.
The Competition in Connections Code of Practice allows competitive provision for contestable works on DNO connections. This allows Independent Connection Providers (ICPs) to deliver the works and Independent Distribution Network Operators (IDNOs) to adopt. There are also elements of contestability at transmission.
When connecting for generation, G98/99 or Grid Code compliance must be maintained to ensure that network resilience is obtained. If applying to transmission, 100% of liabilities must be securitised for demand only, whereas a proportional methodology is used for generation projects, for information on this see our securities explainer here.
G98/G99 forms are required to be completed by the developer for generation assets to ensure suitable protection settings, as well as resilience during network instability, in order to allow these generators to connect to the upstream network. These protect the assets from upstream faults, as well as protecting upstream network from generation-related faults. EPS are able to assist with completing these forms, ensuring a smooth process when applying for generation projects.
G98 forms are to be completed when you are connecting generators up to 16A (3.86kW) per phase, G99 forms are to be completed when connecting ‘large scale generation’ above 16A (3,86kW) per phase or energy storage. G100 is the standard governing export limitation, where a reduced amount of generated energy is to be exported to the wider network, meaning all embedded generation is to be used on the existing site.
Large embedded generators must contract directly with NGESO via one of the following mechanisms:
A generator that is small or medium may also submit a BEGA to participate in the national Balancing Mechanism – this ensures supply matches demand in GB. The customer and DNO submit directly to NGESO and receive an offer within 90 days, with 90 days to accept.
Large embedded generators are connected to DNO/IDNO systems with the following sizes: > 100 MW in England & Wales; > 30 MW in South Scotland; > 10 MW in North Scotland.
