Major Connection Strategy & Due Diligence /
  • Technical Services

    • Hill Michael are specialists in developing strategies for connection of major projects to the electricity supply network. Providing a unique capability across the technical, regulatory and commercial aspects of grid-connection, Hill Michael focus on the ‘space’ between the project fence and the grid. The unique technical and regulatory facets of developing solutions for network connection that effectively reflect the strategy of major projects is Hill Michael’s fundamental capability focus. Assisting both NSPs and major projects answer the question of “how do we best connect?”, Hill Michael can add significant value through its vast experience providing this strategic-advice to the resource and generation sectors.

    NSP

    The high-level management of major project connection continues to be a significant challenge for NSPs, and the allocation of scarce engineering resources between major new connections and shared network management becomes increasingly competitive. Major customer connections can be effectively managed by Hill Michael, in close conjunction with the NSP, given Hill Michael’s breadth of capability and the easily definable and compartmentalised nature of new connections work. Specific services include:

    • Development guidance ‘Connection Strategy’
    • Network investigation to support conceptual solution and design, including:
      • Load-flow studies
      • Dynamic simulation, including stability investigation
      • Fault studies
      • Protection philosophy and scheme design

    Connection

    The strategy for grid connection is a fundamental challenge facing significant projects, and often presents a critical-path issue for any major project schedule. Connection Strategy is a specialist area, which presents significant opportunity for competitive advantage, but one that is often mismanaged. This activity is arms length to the client’s core business and is an area where Hill Michael specialises in developing solutions for the connecting major projects to the electricity supply network, which reflect the strategy of the project and encompass the technical, regulatory and commercial aspects. Specific services include:

    • Development of Connection Strategy reflecting external factors (technical and regulatory constraints) and project strategies (reliability, future expansion, project life).
    • Due Diligence of electricity supply and network contracting arrangements and offers.
    • Technical and regulatory review of connection plans, including liaison with network owners and regulatory/statutory bodies.