The text below is the transcript from the Introduction to the Interactive Map Tool video. An audio-described version of the video is also available.
Welcome & Introduction
We are proud to present the Low Voltage Network Capacity Heatmap in the ConnectMore tool. This covers Merseyside, Cheshire, North Shropshire, North & Mid Wales – the MANWEB license area covered by SP Energy Networks.
This video will be take you through the various elements of the ConnectMore Interactive Tool, showing you the basic functionality, and how to customise the map layers to provide more detailed information, depending on your requirements. More detailed explanations of each section, and interpretation of the data provided, are available in other videos.
When first accessed, the tool will open with the view shown here, centred on SP Energy Network's Prenton office. The starting view is of just the map layer, with no additional information showing at the moment.
On this screen, we have the map zoom controls at the bottom left, and the Feedback button at the top right; this will remain here throughout the use of the site. As the ConnectMore Tool is currently under development, if you notice anything not working as expected, or have any thoughts on how it could be more user friendly, we would encourage you to fill out the form, and help us improve the tool further.
By default, it will include a screenshot of the tool at the time, and has fields for you to complete your name, email address, and a summary of the situation being reported.
Basic Side Bar Functionality
The side bar can be retracted, or restored, by clicking on the vertical bar down its left-hand side.At the top, the search bar allows focussing the map on a preferred destination, and it will suggest locations once text is entered into the field. For example, beginning to enter Higher Kinnerton into the search bar, offers several possible results, but I'll select the village for the purposes of this demonstration.
The map will automatically zoom to a level appropriate for the location selected from the suggested list,but as you would expect, the zoom level can be manually adjusted thereafter through the standard zoom controls.
Below the "search map" field, we can see two sections for configuring the content of the main map area.
EV Charging Demand
The EV Charging Demand section allows you to define scenario characteristics, covering charger location types, EV Uptake profiles and levels of infrastructure deployment, looking forward in 5-year increments to 2050.
Throughout the ConnectMore Tool, where you see small question mark symbols like this, selecting them will provide more information on the item in question, enabling you to make a more informed decision through a greater understanding of the assumptions and intentions inherent within the tool.
Once you have set up your chosen scenario, the map will be populated showing the various Lower Layer Super Output Areas, or LSOA's , coloured in accordance with the key shown at the top of the sidebar. Selecting any LSOA on the map will cause the sidebar to be populated with data specific to that LSOA and the previously defined scenario. These settings are also available at the top of the side bar, and can be changed as required, with both the map, and charts in the sidebar updating to reflect your changes.
A separate video is available providing an explanation of the charts, so this won't be covered here.
Electricity Network Capacity
The Electricity Network Capacity section provides a general overview of the network to identify where there is existing capacity to accommodate new connections.
On first opening of the tool and selecting an option, the map zoom level will be such that the transformers are shown, but not the cables. The key for the colour status is provided at the top of the sidebar.
Here it can be seen that the tool defaults to a new connection rating of 25 kVA, but this can be adjusted in the sidebar with the network asset status changing accordingly.
Increasing the zoom above 16 will show the cables and transformers. Selecting any asset on the map will cause the sidebar to be populated with data specific to that asset and the previously defined capacity to be connected.
The HV functionality operates in the same way as just demonstrated with the LV network.
Combining Both
Both the EV Charging Demand and Electricity Network Capacity functionality can be combined, allowing you to identify areas where high EV charging is anticipated to be required in the future, and then to find locations within that LSOA where there is capacity to install additional EV charging points.
At all locations within the tool, the 'previous' or 'clear heatmap' buttons will take you to the previousscreen, or reset the heatmap, as required.