Connection Assessment Tool (CAT)
The Connection Assessment Tool is East-West Digital's grid compliance assessment for new renewable connections. Run simulations locally, upload only the results, and get clear pass/fail verdicts and reports ready for audit.
Outcomes
60% savings compared with interconnection studies using consultants
Helps cut 60% of avoidable compliance and late submission issues
90% to 95% success rate in avoiding penalty events
The challenge
Grid compliance spread across too many tools
Assessing a new renewable connection means running simulations, exporting files and plots, checking each result against the grid code and writing reports by hand. With so much manual orchestration, compliance gaps surface late and the work leans heavily on your most senior engineers.
What it does
Less manual analysis
The simulation pipeline and visualisation are automated, so engineers stop repeating the same checks.
Clear compliance verdicts
An integrated analysis engine returns a definitive, auditable pass or fail for each test.
Built for real workflows
Designed around the everyday work of project developers and network operators.
Your models stay private
Automation scripts run locally, so your intellectual property never leaves your environment.
An AI copilot on call
The CAT Copilot answers grid code questions in plain language, without manual research.
One source of truth
Consistent, verifiable reports that engineers, leadership and regulators can all rely on.
How it works
CAT uses a secure hybrid architecture. Simulations run on your machines, analysis runs in the cloud, and your engineers make the final call.
Step 1
Run studies locally
Run EMT and RMS simulations with CAT's scripts on your own PSCAD and PSS®E licences. Models never leave your environment.
Step 2
Upload only the outputs
Send the simulation outputs to the cloud for analysis powered by AI. Your proprietary network models are never exposed.
Step 3
Get verdicts and answers
The engine checks results against Australian grid code criteria (DMAT and NER) and the AI copilot explains the clause behind each verdict.
Step 4
Share a report ready for audit
Generate a standardised DOCX or PDF report with every selected test result, ready to submit to regulators or share with generation owners and vendors.
Use case · Representative value model
Connection compliance from first study to final review
Preparing a new grid connection package, or reassessing an operating plant after a technical change such as a controller firmware update or a component outage.
- Grid code
- Australian DMAT and NER
- Studies
- EMT and RMS
- Models
- Stay on your network
Issues found earlier
Responses that don't comply surface before submission, so developers and vendors can resolve gaps internally.
More consistent decisions
Standardised assessment logic and report structure make findings easier to validate, trace and defend.
Experts on the hard cases
Junior engineers find rule explanations faster, while senior engineers focus on exceptions and final technical judgement.
Who it's for
- Interconnection engineers
- Consultants and vendor engineers
- Transmission and network operators
- Grid compliance and regulatory teams
- Renewable developers and asset owners
How to start
- 1
Discovery
We learn about your connection projects, your study workflow and the grid code criteria you work to.
- 2
Proof of concept
We show CAT working on a focused case, so your team can judge the workflow and outputs for itself.
- 3
Pilot
Over about three months, CAT runs on real projects. Your own team can run it, or our advisory team can run the studies for you.
- 4
Subscription
You move to an annual SaaS subscription with the support tier that fits your team.
Ways to work with us
Annual SaaS
The full CAT platform on your own dedicated tenant, with support and updates included.
- Dedicated Google Cloud (GCP) tenant, set up against a readiness checklist
- CAT engine, dashboards, APIs and logs
- A set number of user seats and Copilot queries a month
- Second and third line (L2/L3) support, plus software and grid code updates
Managed services pilot
Our advisory team runs your interconnection studies for you, end to end.
- Studies run on your behalf, using models you share with us
- About three months of preparation, staging and evaluation
- Full execution by EWD, end to end
- Joint review of outcomes and next steps
Self service pilot
Your own team runs CAT on real projects in a dedicated pilot tenant.
- A dedicated pilot tenant with CAT's core features
- Your team runs two to three real projects end to end
- About three months of preparation, staging and evaluation
- Validate product fit and business impact, then agree subscription terms
Frequently asked questions
Do we have to share our network models to use CAT?
No. With the Connection Assessment Tool (CAT), automation scripts run locally on your own PSCAD and PSS®E licences, and only simulation outputs are uploaded to the cloud for analysis. Your proprietary models never leave your environment, unless you choose the managed services pilot, where our advisory team runs studies using models you share with us.
Which grid codes and studies does CAT support?
CAT is built around Australian grid connection workflows, following DMAT (AEMO's Dynamic Model Acceptance Test) and the NER (National Electricity Rules). It covers EMT (electromagnetic transient) and RMS (root mean square) studies. Its pass/fail engine checks results against Australian grid code criteria, and the CAT Copilot clarifies compliance clauses in context.
Does CAT replace our engineers' judgement?
No. CAT is a layer of engineering support and consistency. It automates repetitive checks, gives clear pass/fail verdicts and explains the grid code, while your engineers review the findings and make the final technical call. Senior engineers can spend more of their time on exceptions and complex cases.
Can we use CAT on an operating plant, not just a new connection?
Yes. CAT creates repeatable assessment baselines, so you can reassess an operating plant after a technical change such as a controller firmware update or a component outage. The same criteria apply every time, which keeps results consistent.
How do we get started with CAT, and what does it cost?
Start with a discovery call; the usual path then runs through a proof of concept and a pilot of about three months to an annual SaaS subscription. Pricing depends on the option and scope, so we propose one after discovery.
See CAT on your own data
Book a demo and we'll walk through your use case with our team.