De-Risking Electrification: Planning for Grid Load, EV Integration and Substation Upgrades

At Finn Geotherm, we’re firm believers that low-carbon heating shouldn’t come with high-voltage headaches.

As the public sector moves away from gas and embraces all-electric systems — from heat pumps to EV charging — the demands on local electricity infrastructure are increasing rapidly. And while heat pumps are essential for hitting Net Zero targets, they do require careful planning to ensure the grid can keep up.

That’s why futureproofing isn’t an afterthought in our designs — it’s a starting point.

We help local authorities, consultants and estates teams plan for a smarter, more electrified future — one that considers today’s energy loads and tomorrow’s ambitions.

Why Grid Capacity Matters Now

Switching from fossil fuels to electric heating is a powerful move for carbon reduction. But without planning for grid load, it can introduce risks:

• Delays due to DNO permissions or upgrades

• Unexpected project costs for infrastructure works

• System underperformance due to electrical limitations

• Inability to integrate EV charging or solar PV later

Too often, electrical capacity is considered late in the project — and by then, it’s expensive, time-consuming, and difficult to resolve.

At Finn Geotherm, we bring this conversation to the front of the project — because a technically sound system is only useful if it can be powered properly.

Real-World Example: Diss Leisure Centre

Our recent work at Diss Leisure Centre, part of a PSDS-funded decarbonisation programme, highlights exactly what future-focused planning looks like.

The centre required a high-capacity air source heat pump system, including:

• 3 x 210kW Panasonic ASHPs for space and water heating

• 2 x 16kW T-CAP ASHPs for dedicated domestic hot water

• A custom diverter/load optimisation system for solar PV integration

This required a significant uplift in electrical demand. So, we managed the process with UK Power Networks to install a brand-new substation — ensuring not only sufficient supply for the heat pumps, but also additional capacity for future EV charging.

We didn’t just complete the installation — we undertook all the enabling groundworks for UKPN ourselves to keep costs and disruption down.

That’s the kind of foresight and hands-on delivery that turns a good installation into a great one.

What Public Sector Clients Should Consider

Here are five essential factors to consider when planning for electrified heating systems and future-proofed buildings:

1. Current Load vs Projected Demand

We help assess the current electrical capacity of your site and model what’s needed — not just for the heat pump system, but for future upgrades like EV charging, battery storage, or solar PV.

2. DNO Engagement

We can liaise directly with the local Distribution Network Operator (DNO) to explore upgrade options, timelines and costs — managing the process end-to-end if required. Having completed many projects that have required DNO upgrades, we now have many useful direct contacts within most of these organisations.

3. Thermal Storage as Grid Buffer

Our systems often integrate thermal stores, allowing buildings to shift demand — charging up off-peak and reducing grid pressure during peak hours. Equally,

4. Smart Controls and Monitoring

We design systems that optimise energy use dynamically, with remote monitoring and intelligent controls to ensure high performance without energy waste.

5. Space and Infrastructure Planning

We identify space requirements early — for heat pump plant, thermal stores, or substation upgrades — avoiding redesigns down the line.

A System Designed for What’s Next

For public sector clients and consultants, this isn’t just about today’s heat pump. It’s about building infrastructure that’s ready for the next 10–20 years of energy transition.

By addressing electrical capacity, grid resilience, and future integration at the design stage, we eliminate the risk of future rework, missed funding opportunities, or stranded assets.

At Finn Geotherm, we don’t just install heat pumps. We install peace of mind — with systems built not only to meet today’s needs, but tomorrow’s demands.

If you’re planning your next decarbonisation project, let’s start the conversation with the grid. Because when we future-proof properly, the benefits go far beyond heating.