Rethinking Grid Connections for the AI Era with Paul Manning (NovoGrid)

The energy grid is facing a new kind of challenge: enormous, fast-arriving demand from hyperscale data centres, driven by AI and digitalisation. These “giga-campuses” are no longer talking about tens of megawatts they’re applying for a gigawatt of capacity in a single location.That’s the same scale of demand Portugal expects to add across the entire country over a decade - now requested in one UK town. For National Grid, developers, and policymakers, the question is urgent: how do you connect this demand without waiting 15 years for traditional reinforcements? It is increasingly clear that the future of large-scale demand isn’t just about building faster, it’s about building smarter. Flexible connections, real-time load management, and accurate grid modelling will be essential to connect AI-era demand without crippling the network or wasting resources.In this episode of Transmission, Ed sits down with Paul Manning, Commercial Director at Novogrid, about how real-time data and control can transform grid operations. From improving renewable integration to reducing connection delays, they explore the technology, market design, and operational shifts needed to build a more dynamic and efficient electricity system. ⚡ Why hyperscale data centres break the old rules for grid planning and capacity allocation.⚡The bottleneck: why firm connections could delay projects for over a decade.⚡ Flexible (non-firm) connections as a faster route and what this means for data centre operations.⚡ How to align computational load with grid availability to avoid stranded assets and wasted capacity.⚡ The role of grid analytics in de-risking curtailment and speeding up the transitionAbout the GuestPaul Manning is Co-Founder and Commercial Director at Novogrid, a grid analytics company acquired by Danish energy services firm Opora. Novagrid specialises in modelling the energy grid and helping clients plan projects from “time zero” before a single cable is laid, to secure the best possible connection strategy. For more information, check out their website. About Modo EnergyModo Energy helps the owners, operators, builders, and financiers of battery energy storage solutions understand the market - and make the most out of their assets.All of our podcasts are available to watch or listen to on the Modo Energy site. To keep up with all of our latest updates, research, analysis, videos, podcasts, data visualizations, live events, and more, follow us on LinkedIn. Check out The Energy Academy, our bite-sized video series breaking down how power markets work. Sign up to the Modo Energy Weekly Dispatch for expert insights on energy storage, market shifts, and policy updates - delivered straight to your inbox every week.