Former Marchon | DACI Case Study

Project Overview

DACI was appointed at an early design stage to review and develop the electrical design for Phase 1 of a 48-dwelling residential scheme. Following receipt of the Distribution Network Operator (DNO) Point of Connection (POC) offer, the client required a detailed technical assessment and compliant design submission to ensure the proposed connection was suitable for the development.

Engineering Challenges

The Challenge

LV point of connection offered

The Distribution Network Operator (DNO) issued a Low Voltage (LV) Point of Connection (POC) for Phase 1.

Voltage drop beyond acceptable limits

Detailed engineering checks showed that, due to the length of run from the LV POC to the furthest dwellings, voltage drop would exceed acceptable limits. The proposed solution was therefore not compliant and posed a significant delivery risk.

Redesign, delay and cost risk

If progressed, the LV solution would likely have resulted in redesign during construction, programme delays, and cost variations and abortive works.

DACI Solution

1. Formal challenge of the LV point of connection

DACI formally challenged the LV POC with the DNO, providing technical justification and requesting a High Voltage (HV) POC to ensure compliance and resilience.

2. Phase 2 infrastructure alignment

At the same time, we reviewed the wider development proposals and considered the future 280-dwelling Phase 2. We assessed whether extending the HV network to a strategically positioned substation could potentially serve both phases, creating a more cost-effective long-term solution.