Find Electrical Grid Capacity | yottar

The Growing Strain on Electrical Grids

Global power demand is experiencing a significant increase, driven by advancements in areas like artificial intelligence and the proliferation of electric vehicles. This surge is placing considerable stress on existing electrical grid infrastructure.

Introducing Yottar: Mapping Grid Capacity

Yottar, a new company, addresses this challenge by providing detailed maps of electrical grid capacity. This allows businesses to pinpoint optimal locations for deploying power-intensive equipment, such as data centers and EV charging stations.

Addressing the Electrification and AI Convergence

“The simultaneous rise of electrification and the demand from AI data centers is creating substantial difficulties for grid operators, leading to significant backlogs,” explains Peter Clutton-Brock, Yottar’s CEO and co-founder, in a recent interview.

He illustrates this point by noting that around London, available capacity for large data centers is currently fully utilized. The key question isn’t whether capacity exists, but rather when necessary infrastructure upgrades will be completed.

Startups Respond to Grid Limitations

As aging grids become increasingly burdened, companies like Yottar are emerging to assist energy consumers in navigating these limitations. Other firms, such as Gridcare, concentrate on identifying and unlocking previously unrecognized capacity within existing utility networks.

Yottar’s Unique Mapping Approach

Yottar distinguishes itself through a different strategy. Instead of debating existing capacity, the company focuses on creating comprehensive maps that clearly indicate where grid capacity is available and the amount of power accessible at each specific location.

Focus on Medium-Sized Demand Developers

“While several companies are operating in this space, they are targeting slightly different applications,” Clutton-Brock states. “Our primary focus is on what we term ‘medium-sized demand developers’ – entities that consume electricity rather than generate it.” These projects typically require between 1 and 5 megawatts of power.

Notable Yottar Clients

Yottar’s customer base includes prominent organizations like Tesla and the National Health Service (NHS) in the U.K. Tesla leverages Yottar’s Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform to strategically select locations for new Supercharger installations and to enhance existing sites.

The NHS utilizes Yottar to identify suitable clinics and hospitals for EV charger deployment. Furthermore, the platform aids in planning solar panel and battery installations, as well as determining optimal locations for new radiology units.

“Conducting site evaluations individually for each location is simply not feasible for them,” Clutton-Brock emphasizes.

Recent Funding and New Features

The company recently secured $1 million in pre-seed funding, led by Haatch, with contributions from Cape Capital and angel investors. Yottar is also introducing a new feature designed to quickly assess the potential for upgrades or new equipment at various locations, as exclusively revealed to TechCrunch.

Data Sources and Accuracy

Yottar obtains a significant portion of its data directly from distribution networks, which are now mandated by regulations to make this information publicly accessible. The company also licenses proprietary data and continuously updates its records using anonymized data from successful grid connections facilitated by its clients.

Pricing and Competitive Landscape

Currently, Yottar’s pricing model involves a per-seat fee combined with a usage charge based on the number of sites evaluated. Clutton-Brock identifies traditional consulting firms as the company’s primary competitors. “For smaller-scale demand developers, the alternative of using consultants is often impractical.”

Future Expansion Plans

While Yottar currently operates within the U.K., Clutton-Brock is actively pursuing expansion into the U.S. and other international markets. “This is a global challenge that necessitates a global solution,” he asserts.