Strategically planning a Transmission Network – the Challenge of the Energy Transition in the North of Scotland

The energy transition to net zero greenhouse gas emissions is a significant network planning challenge for the electrical transmission system. The North of Scotland (NoS) in the UK is a useful case study of this challenge given its rich renewable and pumped storage hydro resource, potential large electrical demand and extensive pipeline of connection requests. Extending the small, aging transmission network is underway and strategic planning is needed to ensure the deterministic planning standards adopted for short-term connection needs align with the need to develop an economic and efficient network for the longer term that fulfils net zero.