Innovation, technology & operations
Gas
Utility Week Live 2020
Innovation, technology & operations
Building a net-zero network for north Scotland
As owner of the electricity transmission network in the north of Scotland, SSEN Transmission has a critical role to play in the transition to net zero - by building the transmission infrastructure required to connect renewable electricity generation, and transporting that clean electricity to areas of demand, writes Bless Kuri, head of transmission system planning and investment.
Gas
2020 vision: Siemens’ outlook on the next 12 months
Will 2020 be a turning point on the road to net-zero? Energy systems specialist Siemens, headed by GB chief executive Carl Ennis, looks ahead to advances in generation, off-grid networks, electric vehicle uptake and corporate transparency.
Gas
More excavation searches benefit asset owners
Richard Broome, managing director at LSBUD (Linesearch BeforeUdig), an online asset search facility, discusses its recent report, "Digging Up Britain 2019" and its findings on safe excavation work in the utilities industry.
Heat
Local authorities are advancing the pace on net-zero
Many local authorities want to over-achieve on the government's 2050 ambitions, but how can network operators work in partnership with them to achieve an early net-zero? Womble Bond Dickinson's Charles Robson, partner, and Andrew Hirst, managing associate, set out some ideas.
Innovation, technology & operations
Is flexibility expertise tomorrow’s export opportunity?
Flexibility is a goal in its own right, but for DNOs and energy companies in the UK, there is also a potential opportunity to export their expertise on flexible systems overseas, in particular to North America, says Hari Subramaniam at Canadian software provider Opus One Solutions
Innovation, technology & operations
Time to get motoring on EV infrastructure
SSEN's managing director Colin Nicol discusses the importance of a £7.5 million EV partnership between the Scottish Government, Transport Scotland, SSEN and SP Energy Networks.
Innovation, technology & operations
How Cadent is building a low-carbon future for the UK
Ed Syson, chief safety and strategy officer at Cadent, gives his reaction to the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) recommendations to move beyond an 80 per cent target and deliver net zero emissions by 2050.
Innovation, technology & operations
Unlocking the energy transition
Electricity storage can be transformational for the UK's homes and businesses, but there is work to do to unlock its potential, writes Simon Innis.
Heat
Heat loss headaches
Defining heat losses as percentages misses the point of network optimisation. Casey Cole explains why.
Power
Preparing the Power System for 2030
The Future Power System Architecture project is working to understand how the system should move forward to meet these changes in demand by 2030. Eric Brown provides a brief overview of the next stages of the programme.
Innovation, technology & operations
Delivering demand response
Battery storage is the perfect technology to enable widespread use of demand response and a stable power grid argues Simon Daniel.
Innovation, technology & operations
Innovating for skills
A novel approach to developing and accrediting apprenticeship standards for utilities has made innovation in workforce renewal a business as usual activity argues Nick Ellins.
Innovation, technology & operations
Enhanced Frequency Response – investing in the future of energy
Now the contracts for National Grid's new enhanced frequency response service have been handed out, the hard graft of delivering the projects can begin.
Innovation, technology & operations
The future of innovation funding
As uncertainty hangs over the future of network innovation pots, Denise Massey calls for a change in industry culture to ensure progress is maintained.
Innovation, technology & operations
Industry must break step to cross the bridge
The challenge of energy system transformation will require market participant to adopt new gaits says John Parsons.
Innovation, technology & operations
Electric vehicles: who should pay?
Stewart Reid discusses the options for recovering the costs of network reinforcement needed for electric vehicles, and the unintended consequences of doing so.
Innovation, technology & operations
Transforming lone working
A new application of wearable tech has radical implications for lone worker health and safety says David Goldsby, digital innovation manager, National Grid Labs.
Innovation, technology & operations
Social media could create a brighter future for networks
Tools like Twitter and Facebook are not just new-fangled communications channels, says Freddie Tilbrook. They are an important element in the growth of collective consumer power - which will increasingly impact on network operations.
Innovation, technology & operations
Tie-up renewables with energy storage
Britain must adopt energy storage to cut payback times for domestic generation from renewables, argues Stephen Irish.
Heat
Heat networks: where is innovation needed?
Unlocking innovation in the UK heat sector means; being more joined up as an industry, settling asset ownership confusion and ensuring experts are responsible for delivering network efficiencies, argues Casey Cole.
Innovation, technology & operations
Time to get down to business and build the world’s new power system
The COP21 climate summit has created renewed momentum for international collaboration to combat climate change.Now everyone needs to play their part says Eddie O'Connor