Smart Connect by UK Power Networks is said to have slashed notification time for installers from 10 days to just a few seconds across London, the South-East and East of England, accelerating UK’s electric vehicle charging network, with over 10,000 electric car charger connections to the UK electricity network fast-tracked in its first year.
As well as processing electric vehicle (EV) charger applications, the portal’s latest functionality allows installers to submit applications for other low carbon technologies including heat pumps, batteries and solar panels. Approximately 5,000 household solar installations, over 900 electric heat pumps and 265 domestic batteries have been approved through Smart Connect so far.
It also reports that Smart Connect has saved 6,000 working hours for connections staff at UK Power Networks, the UK’s biggest electricity distributor, and automatically approved three-quarters (73 per cent) of more than 19,000 applications, allowing installers to install as soon they receive the go-ahead.
The portal now accept applications where multiple low carbon technologies are being installed at the same address. Installers are already said to have submitted more than 1,000 applications using this new functionality with around half being instantly approved. The online portal has also been expanded to process applications for commercial premises. Installers managing multiple jobs for customers are able to check the status of all their applications at the click of a button.
If the property’s electricity supply needs to be upgraded, Smart Connect refers customers to a UK Power Networks expert. If no upgrades are required the tool moves on to automatic approval.
“Millions of electric cars and heat pumps will connect to local electricity networks over the next decade. We want to make sure they can do that quickly and easily,” said Neil Madgwick, head of service delivery at UK Power Networks. “Through tools like Smart Connect we’ll make it possible – whether we’re working with installers or directly with consumers – for them all to connect at pace which will help the UK’s journey to net zero.”
Learn more about Smart Connect here: https://www.ukpowernetworks.co.uk/smart-connect
