New Voltage Matters Forum attracts 300+ members as grid transition causes growing voltage issues

More than 300 members have joined a Voltage Matters Forum to address the problem of uncontrolled voltages, as the grid comes under increasing pressure from millions of new distributed energy resource (DER) connections, including intermittent renewable generation, electric vehicles and rooftop solar installations.

Co-created in January 2025 by voltage control specialists Fundamentals and power engineering experts Threepwood Consulting, the forum has attracted representatives and contributions from across the electricity industry, including network distributors, technology providers, equipment manufacturers, consultants and regulators.

Fundamentals CEO Dr Jon Hiscock said: “It’s clear that uncontrolled voltages are increasingly causing problems across the grid. Complaints from consumers about EV chargers and solar inverters tripping out are growing fast. But they are symptomatic of wider voltage control issues that need tackling, to give the grid the flexibility it needs to transition to net zero.

“The good news is that solutions already exist to address the issues, but they are being applied piecemeal. The overwhelming consensus among forum members is that the industry needs whole-system collaboration, together with policy and regulatory leadership at national level.”

The latest Voltage Matters Forum webinar in October included a presentation from Ofgem, acknowledging that “voltage is becoming harder to manage across transmission and distribution networks”, and that it is working towards new funding mechanisms and incentives for DNOs to manage voltages more efficiently.

The forum meets regularly online, with presentations from across the industry, including DNOs, technology providers, energy users, analysts and regulators. The first of a series of in-person events was held in Birmingham in July.

Dr Hiscock added: “I strongly urge anyone interested in transitioning the grid to join the Voltage Matters Forum. Members report that it is a uniquely valuable platform for sharing information and views.

“Even more importantly, it is a powerful vehicle for driving forward the voltage control initiatives which are crucial for the future of the electricity industry.”