Power
Brexit ‘bad for smart grids’, warns academic
A leading academic has warned that the UK’s decision to leave the European Union will hinder the transition to smarter grids.
Power
SP Energy Networks moves to protect Scottish farmers
Distribution network operator SP Energy Networks has launched a new safety campaign to educate farmers about the risks of working near electricity infrastructure.
Gas
Prevention of cyber-attack is not enough
As new cyber threats evolve and increase for energy networks, Alex Campbell explains why taking preventative measures no longer constitutes a reasonable cybersecurity strategy for network operators.
Heat
The heyday for heat is coming
Network editor Jane Gray introduces the June issue with some thoughts on the development of UK heat networks.
Gas
A multipronged plan for heat
There is no single way to decarbonise heat cheaply, but there are options if the UK starts the planning process now.
Gas
Our future in Europe
Energy network leaders favour a “remain” vote in the upcoming referendum, according to views expressed at a recent industry debate.
Power
Smart metering will make data core
Smart metering will alter core network capabilities, says Stephen Haw.
Power
SP Energy Networks – Sub.net monitoring
A brief review of SP Energy Networks' application of a new substation-based disturbance recorder and the benefits it is bringing.
Gas
Dealing with the digital enemy: the rise of cybercrime
How will the UK’s critical infrastructure deal with the new and growing threat of cybercrime?
Power
Security strategy: navigating cyber standards
Rob Hayes and Jonathan Lam of PA Consulting reveal the rise of smart grids means networks are at a critical security juncture.
Power
Negative DSR narrative risks missed opportunities, says O’Hara
A negative public narrative which links demand side response to energy crisis situations needs to change in order to achieve flexibility and decarbonisation in the power system, Utility Week was told by Cordi O’Hara, director of system operation at National Grid.
Power
Good Energy: protect local grids from EVs now
Good Energy’s chief executive Juliet Davenport has called for legislation to ensure electric vehicles automatically charge at times of low energy demand to protect local energy grids.
Gas
Scottish Power pilots smart batteries in customer homes
Scottish Power has teamed up with residential energy storage firm Moixa and Bill Save UK to pilot smart energy storage batteries in customers’ homes.
Power
Energy flexibility: transforming the power system by 2030
The UK power system is poised on the brink of transformation. The coming change, which will see the creation of a highly flexible power system, is set to deliver enormous benefits to the economy, society, and the environment as well as the companies that make it happen.
Power
Powervault extends investment campaign to meet demand
Domestic energy storage company Powervault has extended its crowdfunding investment campaign by two weeks despite already amassing £500,000 more than its original target.
Power
Clarity lacking on apprenticeship levy
As network operators struggle to address skills gaps, uncertainty prevails over the delivery of support for apprenticeship training across the UK.
Gas
Lord Bourne speaks out on Brexit energy risks
Writing exclusively for Network and Utility Week, Lord Bourne, parliamentary under secretary of state for the Department of Energy and Climate Change (Decc), says exiting the EU would be bad for energy investment, energy costs and energy security.
Power
WPD: DSR needs 70% deployment to avoid network reinforcement
Western Power Distribution (WPD) has concluded that domestic energy storage and demand response technologies are not a primary route to defer network reinforcement costs from the findings of its £2.8 million SoLa Bristol project.
Gas
The heat is on: The Smart Systems and Heat Programme
Decarbonisation targets demand a 50-fold ramp up in the conversion of domestic properties to low carbon heating. The Smart Systems and Heat programme will set out how this can be achieved.
Gas
Government capacity market measures will hit distributed generation, ADE warns
Measures being considered by the government to limit the role of diesel generation in the capacity market will mostly hit distributed generation, and will not increase the number of contracts awarded for new gas power stations, the Association of Decentralised Energy (ADE) has warned.
Power
Utility Week Live: Innovation – a step closer to business as usual?
In this period of transformation within the energy sector, the networks are acutely aware of the need to innovate to remain relevant and capable of servicing the evolving energy market.
Power
Powervault surpasses £1m of investment on Crowdcube
Energy storage company Powervault has amassed £1 million of investment through its latest crowdfunding campaign, with two days left to go.
Heat
Energy Systems Catapult outlines five-year plan
The Energy Systems Catapult has outlined its proposed five-year plan of work to help bring about a whole systems approach in the energy market.
Power
Nissan launches first vehicle to grid storage trial
Automotive company Nissan will connect 100 vehicle-to-grid (V2G) units across the UK in the first ever trial of electric vehicles as mobile energy storage.
Power
Nissan enters domestic storage market with xStorage
Car manufacturer Nissan has entered the domestic energy storage market in partnership with power management company Eaton, with the launch of its xStorage battery storage unit.
Gas
ABB wins £11.8m SPEN contract for substation upgrade
SP Energy Networks (SPEN) has awarded ABB a contract worth £11.77 million to upgrade Kilmarnock South substation.
Power
Storage manufacturer secures £3.2m private investment
Lithium-ion energy storage developer Hyperdrive Innovation has secured £3.2 million of investment to develop its product range and improve manufacturing processes.
Power
FPSA to “challenge” established power system architecture
The Future Power System Architecture Project will “challenge the established architecture” of the power system and identify 35 new or extended functions for the UK power grid when it submits its full report in July, industry leaders heard at an event in London last night.
Heat
Riding out the storm: Using weather data to prepare for climate change
Climate change will bring new and increasing challenges for network operators, but a new source of earth system data will help them thrive in adversity.
Power
EV uptake adding to lithium price spike
The global uptake in electric vehicles is contributing to the price of materials used to make lithium batteries, information specialist Roskill has revealed.
Gas
The health and safety challenge
As financial penalties for failings are set to rise, Network explores the specific health and safety challenges facing network operators.