Spatial intelligence & the future of grid planning

The world is entering an era of profound infrastructure transformation. As we electrify transport, decarbonize buildings, and shift to renewable energy, the pressure on our electricity grids is intensifying. But the way we plan these critical systems hasn’t caught up.

At SurplusMap, we believe the key to unlocking faster, smarter, and more resilient energy transitions lies in one powerful solution of spatial intelligence.

Planning the grid in an electrified world

Across Europe and beyond, grid congestion is now one of the biggest barriers to green growth. Whether you're installing EV charging hubs, building battery storage, or expanding solar and wind capacity - your success depends on the local grid’s capability.

But here’s the problem: today’s infrastructure decisions are often made in silos, with outdated tools and fragmented data. Planning takes months, sometimes years. And too often, projects stall not for lack of funding or ambition - but because the grid says no.

We don’t just need more capacity. We need better intelligence about where and how to act.

What is spatial intelligence?

Spatial intelligence is about understanding the geography of opportunity and constraint.

It’s the ability to see, in one place:

• Where grid capacity exists - or is limited

• What zoning or regulatory constraints apply

• How land use, demand, and development are shifting

• Where your project will face friction - or fly

  
  

It means making infrastructure decisions in context - geographic, regulatory, economic.

And when powered by the right tools, spatial intelligence can turn grid planning from a bottleneck into a competitive advantage.

From maps to action: Planning with confidence

SurplusMap is building the spatial intelligence layer for green infrastructure. Our platform brings together:

• Grid data (capacity, connection points, constraints)

• Geospatial layers (land zoning, environmental rules, transport networks)

• Collaboration tools to align public and private stakeholders

  
  

With this visibility, businesses, planners, developers and city leaders can:

• Identify viable project locations faster

• Avoid red tape and costly delays

• Make strategic trade-offs with clarity

• Understand and optimize the existing solutions

  
  

A new era of infrastructure needs a new planning mindset

The energy transition is not just a technical challenge. It’s a spatial one.

Every solar farm, every EV charger, every data center or heat pump - exists somewhere. And whether that location can support your project depends on the grid.

By putting spatial intelligence at the heart of infrastructure planning, we can move faster, reduce risk, and build a more resilient, electrified world.

The future of grid planning isn’t just about wires and substations. It’s about seeing the full picture - and acting with insight.

Let’s map the way forward!

Want to see spatial intelligence in action? 

Book a demo or talk to our team about how we can help you!