Fagne + Prelect: A Milestone for Conditional Connections
- Stine Andreassen
- Jan 21
- 3 min read
As more DSOs explore smarter ways to manage Conditional Connections, our new client Fagne stands out as a great example of what is possible when DSOs take a truly user centric approach to grid challenges.
"It is natural that customers decide for themselves which loads are not prioritized."
Bernt Ove Pedersen, Fagne
Fagne has tested Prelect's cloud based solution that lets Conditional Connection customers decide for themselves which loads should be reduced during a curtailment event.
The result is a smoother, more predictable, and far more user friendly way of handling Conditional Connections for both the DSO and their customers.
What is Conditional Connections
A Conditional Connection allows a customer to connect to the grid earlier than would normally be possible, as long as they accept that consumption may be reduced during periods when the grid is approaching its limits.
The alternative for a DSO is often to deny access altogether until costly and time consuming grid upgrades are completed. That slows electrification and leaves existing capacity underused. Conditional Connections provide a practical middle ground that protects system reliability while getting customers online sooner.
DSOs across Europe highlight Conditional Connection agreements as an important tool to support the green transition and make better use of existing grid capacity.
Why Traditional Solutions Fall Short
Hundreds of Conditional Connection agreements exist, but customers and DSOs are facing some challenges. Legacy IT systems limit automation, most solutions offer only simple on or off curtailment, and the communication flow often creates uncertainty. The result is a disappointing user experience.
"Customers find Conditional Connection Agreements unattractive due to the lack of predictability"
Mads Laastad, Prelect
What Prelect Offers
Together with Fagne, Prelect have developed and tested a solution that:
✔ Puts customers in control of their own load priorities
End users can choose which specific loads can be disconnected or gradually reduced when a curtailment happens. This leads to dramatically better user experience and reduces operational risks.
✔ Fully automates the process
Fagne’s operations center no longer needs to manage Conditional Connections manually. The system handles notifications, responses, and curtailment triggers autonomously.
✔ Maintains safety and operational robustness
Even with cloud-based orchestration, Fagne retains full security through local fail‑safe mechanisms that protect during outages or communication issues.
✔ Frees up capacity without slowing down the green transition
Smart software makes it possible to use existing grid capacity more efficiently, supporting electrification without costly delays.
The Bigger Picture
The Prelect and Fagne collaboration shows that Conditional Connections can be predictable and user friendly when built around automation and customer governance.
This approach means:
No manual workload for the DSO
Customers gain real control and clarity
Complex industrial loads are handled safely
Capacity is freed up without expensive delays
Conditional Connections become something customers actually want to use
"Prelect’s solution does not require anything from the control room"
Bernt Ove Pedersen, Fagne
Looking Ahead
As electrification accelerates, access to the grid is becoming an essential prerequisite for growth. For businesses, the priority is clear: they need access as fast as possible to win market shares, and they need predictability to deliver reliable services. For DSOs, smarter Conditional Connections offer a clear way forward, making better use of the existing grid without additional investments and while avoiding the loss of value that comes with the simple on or off curtailment.
The collaboration between Prelect and Fagne shows what is possible when technology and grid operations work together: faster access for DSO customers, smarter use of capacity, and a more reliable grid for everyone.
