Network Development Plans | Strategic Grid Planning

Norway is experiencing an unprecedented wave of electrification, expected to increase electricity consumption by 80 TWh by 2050. Key drivers include industrial decarbonization, hydrogen production expansion, and the growth of energy-intensive sectors such as battery factories and data centers.

At the same time, renewable energy is experiencing virtually unlimited growth. But how will these new generation units and loads impact the grids? Are the capacities of the installed assets sufficient? Where are bottlenecks likely to occur? Where, when, and how can the grid be reinforced as cost-efficiently as possible?

To answer these questions reliably and future-proof the grid, a robust strategic grid planning process is essential. This includes:

Developing scenarios for future supply tasks

Assessing the concrete impact on the grid

Creating an investment plan for the grid

NIS “on steroids”: How DSOs Can Unlock More from Their Grid Information System Data

Helen Group, a major player in the Finnish energy sector, is responsible for providing energy and heating services in the Helsinki region.

Like many other European countries, Finland is increasingly focusing on the decarbonization of the transport and building sectors, leading to a rapid growth in EV charging points and heat pumps.

This requires a high level of grid transparency and the automation of several grid planning processes, such as long-term load forecasts, short-term grid connection evaluations, and grid planning projects. These tasks are often cumbersome and time-consuming with existing systems.

In the project with Helen, full models of the regional and local distribution grids were prepared in the envelio IGP. Data from the NIS (Network Information System) was integrated and combined with information from the MDMS (Meter Data Management System) to include time series and smart meter data in the planning processes. The entire onboarding and interface development was managed by envelio’s data engineering team with minimal effort required from Helen.

”This will allow us to target investments more efficiently.“

”Customers‘ new solutions - heat pumps and electric car charging - can challenge the limits of the grid. We need to explore, in different scenarios, how customers‘ electricity use may evolve and affect the grid in the future. This will allow us to target investments more efficiently.“

Juhani Lepistö

Network Analystat Helen Sähköverkko Oy

Case study: Helen Electricity Network

Running future grid scenarios to determine the probability of bottlenecks

To identify potential grid bottlenecks early and implement suitable measures, Helen uses the Grid Study app. This allows them to develop detailed scenarios for future supply tasks. The main goals were:

Evaluate various grid scenarios for potential future bottlenecks & limit violations due to increasing electrification

Determine how probable these bottlenecks and/or violations are and when they will occur

Identify the potential need for grid reinforcement to ensure future supply reliability

Enable the general planning team to harmonise possible grid reinforcement needs with other needs

Derive data-driven investment decisions based on the results of the grid scenario evaluations

You can find more insights and results in the Helen case study and how they leveraged the Intelligent Grid Platform to achieve their goals.

Download the Helen Case Study

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New Obligations for DSOs in Norway

Area Studies, Analyses and Measures

Since March 2024, under the “Forskrift om energiutredninger”, Norwegian DSOs are obligated to digitize their network development plans and continuously upload them to the web-based PlanNett platform. The planning horizon is 5 to 10 years for regional and local distribution grids.

PlanNett aims to provide accessible insights into ongoing grid projects. Information is structured into three phases, reflecting the grid development process from needs analysis to commissioning:

Area Study: A study of the condition of the power grid, and what problems or needs exist for an area. (Planning)
Concept evaluation study: An investigation of various network solutions that can solve network needs. (Planning)
Projects that grid companies will carry out, usually network development. The measures usually require permission from NVE (licensing authority) before construction. (Measures)

Long-Term Planning and Scenario Analysis: Key Challenges for DSOs

The ability to create and simulate scenarios is becoming essential for Norwegian DSOs, especially for consistent investment planning. However, many DSOs face challenges due to insufficient data or lack of tools to evaluate existing data. The main barriers include:

Poor data quality on grid infrastructure and customers

IT system silos with little communication or integration, requiring manual data transfers

Inconsistent use of available sensor data in simulations

Limited ability to run mass simulations across networks and scenarios

Failure to account for changes in user behavior due to flexible loads and dynamic tariffs

Additionally, traditional NIS and grid calculation tools lack sufficient capability for comprehensive scenario analyses, making it nearly impossible to simulate widespread structural impacts in detail.

Current methods can evaluate only a few scenarios and involve significant manual effort. This makes it difficult — or even impossible — to analyze the impacts of new connection types (DER, storage, etc.) and the role of flexibility in grid development.

More than 50 % investment savings

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“Insights from our customer projects indicate that deploying smart grid assets can reduce investment expenditures by as much as 50 % compared to traditional grid expansion.”

Dr. Tobias Falke

VP Global Sales & Marketing envelio

Reliable Grid Development Requires Valid Grid Studies and Investment Planning

To maintain long-term technical reliability, future-oriented strategic grid planning and well-founded investment forecasts are essential. Investment planning must clarify where and when reinvestments are necessary and what the electrification costs will be with and without load control.

These decisions rely on evaluating future supply scenarios. The envelio Grid Study app addresses this exact challenge: it enables you to easily create a variety of detailed scenarios for future supply tasks.

With the app, you can integrate different trend scenarios into your grid model and precisely determine future reinforcement or expansion needs.

Grid Study: Build a Better Basis for Your Network Development Plans through Easy Evaluation of Future Energy Scenarios

Another key feature of the envelio Grid Study app is the ability to carry out detailed stress tests and scenario analysis for your grid area. Create various scenarios for future supply tasks in just a few steps.

Have your forecasts automatically projected onto your own grid area and determine the effects of newly added charging stations or decentralized generating plants. Use the results to identify potential grid bottlenecks and optimize your strategic grid planning.

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Webinar: Cutting grid connection costs & time by 40%: How EG.D streamlines processes with envelio

Exclusive insights for distribution grid operators

Join this exclusive webinar with Michal Holan and Tomas Mendl from EG.D, alongside Christine Harnischmacher from envelio, as they share their experiences optimizing grid connection processes through digitalization.

Learn how they approached automation, reduced workload, and improved response times – all while maintaining operational efficiency.

Get access to the recording

FAQs

What is Strategic Grid Planning?

Strategic grid planning refers to the phase where decisions are made about which actions are needed to prepare the grid for future requirements. It includes power flow simulations, scenario analyses, and investment assessments.

What is a Scenario Analysis?

Scenario analysis is the structured examination of potential future developments and their effects on the power grid. Different trends – such as the rollout of PV systems, heat pumps, or EV charging infrastructure – are modeled and simulated to evaluate their impact on grid stability and capacity.

What is Investment Planning?

Investment planning involves determining when and where to invest in the grid based on scenario analyses and grid study results. It considers timing, costs, benefits, and urgency to make efficient investment decisions.

What is the difference between Grid Planning and Grid Development

Grid planning refers to analysis and decision-making for future grid needs.

Grid development is the execution of these decisions – i.e., constructing, reinforcing, or upgrading the infrastructure.

In short:

Planning = Thinking and Deciding

Development = Doing and Building

Do you have any questions?

In this case, we look forward to getting to know you and answering all your questions about our product and our company. On top of that, you’ll be able to already experience our platform live.

Don’t forget to send your request for a quick demo today.

Contact person

Dr. Tobias Falke
VP Global Sales & Marketing

Effective Network Development Plans Require Valid Grid Studiesand Investment Planning