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What is DNO and Why is it Important?

Your local or regional power supply is managed by your Distribution Network Operator, sometimes abbreviated as DNO. The DNOs have the necessary permits to distribute energy in the UK. Moreover, they are in charge of maintaining the towers and wires in your neighborhood.

The motor fuel group EV charging comes under the umbrella of DNO. Consider them to be the liaison between the National Grid and the energy provider that you use. It is necessary for energy to transfer and distribute before it may reach your property. 

The Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is in charge of the distribution portion of the system. It includes the wires, poles, and meters that provide power to each individual home. Therefore, EV charging DNO notification is necessary. 

Every person who installs a vehicle charger has to notify the DNO of the probable maximum demand at the property. This allows the DNO to verify that there is sufficient supply. DNO EV notification has extreme importance!

Simple steps for registering your energy device

  • The installer should have the right registration

  • Determine if you must inform the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) before or after installation.

  • Install energy gadgets. Some energy efficiency programs demand an application prior to energy gadget installation.

  • Ensure installation is reported to the right organizations.

  • The client must obtain relevant paperwork.

  • Apply for applicable energy efficiency programs.

Suppose you want to install an energy device in your home or small business. In that case, you must register it with your Distribution Network Operator (DNO), the organization responsible for providing power to the property where the device will be installed.

Why is it important to register your energy asset?

Electric automobiles and electric heat pumps are two examples of the kind of huge electricity-powered equipment (also known as energy assets) that will become more common in our houses as we strive toward meeting our goals about climate change. 

Network companies will need to know how many of these energy assets are present on their networks. Moreover, they need to know where they are in order to efficiently manage the additional demand on the system. 

They won't have access to this data unless the asset in question has been registered with them, which is often something that should be done at the time of installation for optimal results.

It is essential to register your energy asset in order to reduce the danger of local blackouts, which may occur when an excessive number of assets that the public is unaware of switch on or off simultaneously.

What kind of impact may my DNO have on the date of my installation?

Installers of electric vehicle charging points have to inform the distribution network operator of their work. 

Each DNO utilises a unique set of procedures. Therefore, the amount of time it takes to get a response and complete the installation may vary. This mainly happens depending on which DNO you choose. Regrettably, we do not have direct control over the rate at which the DNO responds to requests.

If the maximum demand at your property is likely to exceed the supply, then certain chargers, such as the Ohme, can be "de-rated," which means that their power consumption can be reduced; for instance, they can use 16 Amps instead of 32 Amps. 

This can be done in the event that the maximum demand is likely to exceed the supply. This indicates that the installation may go on without risk as long as your distribution network operator (DNO) improves your supply and your charger can restore to its full power.

It's possible that the DNO serving your area might want to do maintenance or upgrades at your property. In the event that the installation clearance from your DNO delays, the standard lead time for Smart Home Charge, which is three to four weeks, will extend.

The DNO may be able to hold up my installation.

The supplier would install it for you if at all feasible. However, there are certain circumstances in which the DNO has to complete their job. Only then can they finish installing it for you. Examples include:

DNO lags as a result of the looping supply

A Distribution Network Operator (DNO) is responsible for maintaining the electrical supply that goes to your home. This includes the apparatus that is present in the meter box. Properties may be "looped" along with the property next door under certain circumstances. 

Before an electric vehicle charger installation can take place on a property, the DNO will often demand that the properties be "de-looped" beforehand. 

Unfortunately, this is beyond the supplier’s control, and they are dependent on your DNO completing the work before we can proceed. Smart Home Charge and the DNO will tell you if this is the case.

DNO delays due to fuse upgrading

As part of the supplier's commitment to exercising due diligence, they have to determine the projected electrical demand placed on your property. They will communicate this information to your DNO. The DNO will then determine whether or not your main fuse can accommodate this demand. 

In the vast majority of situations, there are no problems! Nevertheless, there are certain instances in which an update to the main fuse is necessary. Hence, your DNO will be responsible for carrying it out. It is important to note that an installer, such as Smart Home Charge, does not have any influence over this aspect of the process. Hence, it may take your DNO up to two months to finish the update.

Delays caused by the new meter at DNO

Before an electric vehicle charger is considered fully installed, it is possible that your DNO may want to install a new meter. This is something that is totally beyond the installer's control, and it may take the DNO an excessively extended period of time to finish the tasks. 

The DNO lead times and procedures might range from one operator to the next.

Will my DNO work on my property in the near future?

The installation of an electric vehicle (EV) charging station may sometimes be a quick process. All that is necessary is for the DNO to examine and authorise the installation. However, there are some circumstances in which your DNO may decide to carry out work on your home. 

Some examples of these circumstances include the following:

  • Fuse upgrade

  • Cable improvements

  • If your power supply is linked to the supply of your neighbour, you need to disconnect it.

Before the supplier can install your vehicle's charger, the DNO must first decide whether or not any work has to be done, and then that work must be completed.

This is beyond anyone’s control, and your DNO will coordinate any necessary work with you directly. 

Who serves as my DNO?

SSE, SP Energy Networks, Electricity Northwest, Northern Powergrid, Western Power Distribution, UK Power Networks, and Northern Ireland Electricity are the only DNOs that operate in Great Britain. The question is, who is your DNO? 

If you want to know for sure, you can visit the website that Energy Networks has provided: https://www.energynetworks.org/info/faqs/who-is-my-network-operator.html. If you have more questions about motor fuel group EV charging, feel free to give us a call!