GridScore™ · Site Evaluation Framework · June 2026 GridReadiness Proprietary Methodology

GridScore™ — The GridReadiness Site Evaluation Framework

GridScore™ is the framework GridReadiness applies to every AI data center grid risk assessment. It structures the evaluation of a site across five dimensions that determine whether a project will deploy on schedule — and produces an investment-committee-grade written verdict. Every Grid Deployment Risk Audit runs through this framework. The five dimensions are described publicly because transparency is the basis of credibility. The specific scoring calibration and comparative benchmarks across the GridReadiness site database are proprietary and shared only under executed engagement.

GridScore™ — Framework Overview

Five dimensions. Weighted scoring. Written verdict.

Dimension 1 · Grid Connection Feasibility → 30% weight
Dimension 2 · Transformer Availability → 25% weight
Dimension 3 · Timeline Realism → 25% weight
Dimension 4 · Power Economics → 10% weight
Dimension 5 · Regulatory & Environmental Risk → 10% weight

Each dimension scored 1 (critical risk) to 5 (low risk).
Aggregate weighted score → Go / Proceed with conditions / Reassess

THE FIVE DIMENSIONS

Dimension 01
Grid Connection Feasibility
Weight: 30%
Whether the site can physically connect to the national transmission grid, on what timeline, and at what cost. This is the primary constraint for AI data center deployment in 2026. A site that cannot connect — or cannot connect within the project's target window — cannot deploy regardless of any other advantage.
  • HV substation proximity and capacity: distance to nearest 63 kV / 90 kV / 225 kV / 400 kV substation
  • Existing HTB connection status: active / dormant recoverable / new connection required
  • RTE connection type required: HTB direct / HTA upgrade / new transformer station
  • RTE study timeline estimate: standard (12–18 months) / fast-track zone / brownfield reactivation (3–9 months)
  • Queue position assessment: is this site in an RTE fast-track zone? What is the current demand for capacity in this zone?
  • Connection cost range: RTE study cost estimate + works estimate
Dimension 02
Transformer Availability
Weight: 25%
Whether HV transformer procurement can be confirmed within the project's required timeline. Transformer availability is the critical path item that most developers underestimate. A site with RTE approval and no confirmed transformer position is a theoretical deployment, not a real one.
  • EU manufacturer lead times for the required specification (MVA rating, voltage ratio, frequency)
  • ANSI/IEEE 60Hz compliance: can EU second-tier manufacturers deliver US-specification units?
  • Slot availability: which manufacturers have confirmed 2026–2028 allocation positions?
  • Brownfield transformer status: is a transformer on site? Is it functional, dormant, or absent?
  • Procurement risk: what happens if the primary manufacturer delays? Is there a second-source path?
Dimension 03
Timeline Realism
Weight: 25%
Whether the target commissioning date is achievable given the interaction of grid connection, transformer procurement, construction, and permitting timelines. The most common failure mode in AI data center planning is treating these timelines as independent. They are sequential and compounding.
  • Critical path analysis: which of the four timelines (grid, transformer, construction, permitting) is longest?
  • Parallel vs sequential procurement: is transformer order being placed simultaneously with RTE application?
  • Brownfield advantage quantification: how many months does existing HTB infrastructure compress?
  • Buffer assessment: what is the realistic range around the target date (base case / optimistic / pessimistic)?
  • Comparison to RTE fast-track programme: does the site qualify for 2-year or 4-year fast-track timeline?
Dimension 04
Power Economics
Weight: 10%
The long-term economics of electricity supply for the site: grid tariff, PPA availability, price stability, and carbon intensity. Lower weight than grid and transformer because France's nuclear baseload makes this dimension relatively uniform across French sites — but still material for hyperscalers with public WUE and carbon commitments.
  • Grid tariff: TURPE (Tarif d'Utilisation des Réseaux Publics d'Electricité) applicable rate
  • PPA availability: renewable PPA market depth in the region
  • Carbon intensity: site-specific estimate based on regional grid mix (France average: 51 gCO2e/kWh)
  • Price stability: nuclear baseload percentage vs gas or renewables exposure
  • Water stress index (WUE): required for Google, Microsoft, Meta commitment compliance
Dimension 05
Regulatory & Environmental Risk
Weight: 10%
Environmental constraints, permitting complexity, and brownfield contamination status that could add timeline or cost risk beyond the grid and transformer critical path. Lower weight because France's planning framework for large industrial sites is generally navigable — but site-specific contamination history requires assessment for brownfield positions.
  • BASIAS / BASOL contamination status: former industrial use history and remediation record
  • Urban planning category: ZAC, zone industrielle, PLU (Plan Local d'Urbanisme) classification
  • Environmental authorisation: ICPE classification, required permits
  • Natura 2000 proximity: European protected zone constraints
  • Construction permit precedent: has the local planning authority approved comparable projects?

SCORING EXAMPLE — ILLUSTRATIVE

Illustrative brownfield HTB site — Hauts-de-France

Grid Connection Feasibility (30%)
4/5
Transformer Availability (25%)
5/5 — transformer on site
Timeline Realism (25%)
4/5 — 20–24 months
Power Economics (10%)
4/5
Regulatory Risk (10%)
3/5 — contamination check required
Weighted aggregate score: 4.1 / 5.0 ● GO — with contamination pre-assessment condition

DATA SOURCES

RTE Network Map
Public RTE schema directeur showing 63 kV, 90 kV, 225 kV and 400 kV transmission lines and substations. Primary source for grid connection feasibility assessment.
BASIAS / BASOL
Ministry of Ecology national inventory of former industrial sites. 300,000+ sites. Source for brownfield contamination history and former use classification.
Cartofriches (CEREMA)
14,300+ characterised brownfield sites across France. Includes site area, infrastructure status, development agency contact. Cross-referenced with RTE network data.
Manufacturer Intelligence
Direct procurement intelligence from Efacec, Pauwels, TMC, Schneider, ABB, Siemens, GE Vernova. Lead times updated monthly. Slot availability assessed per engagement.
WRI Aqueduct
Water Risk Atlas. Basin-level water stress indices for WUE compliance assessment. Updated annually. Applied per site for Google/Microsoft/Meta commitment compliance.
Field Intelligence
Xavier W. (30+ years RTE/Enedis) provides on-site technical validation for brownfield HTB assessments. Confirms substation condition, transformer status, connection reactivation feasibility.

SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS

GridScore™ assesses the power infrastructure feasibility of AI data center sites. It does not cover structural engineering, building permits, data center architecture, cooling design, IT procurement, or legal and regulatory compliance beyond grid and environmental constraints. GridReadiness is a market advisory and advisory practice, not an engineering consultancy. GridScore™ conclusions provide investment-committee-grade input for go/no-go decisions; final capital commitment requires validation by qualified electrical engineers.

Apply GridScore™ to your site

Every Grid Deployment Risk Audit runs through the full GridScore™ framework. Delivery in 72 hours. Written PDF report + 30-minute debrief. Starts with a framing call.