Technology & Operations
Power
UKPN reveals electricity network control system plans
Network operator UK Power Networks has unveiled plans for what it claims is the world's most advanced electricity network control system.
Heat
Need for EV infrastructure highlighted at Utility Week Live
A representative from the Office for Low Emissions Vehicles (OLEV) has set out the types of infrastructure required to support the rollout of electric vehicles.
Gas
Meeting net zero target requires urgent electricity system overhaul
The operation of the electricity system must be urgently overhauled if the UK is to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050, without burdening consumers with unnecessary costs, an industry figure has warned.
Gas
Vattenfall wins first power network contract in UK
Vattenfall Networks, the UK's newest independent electricity network provider, has won its first distribution network contract with Helvellyn Group.
Customers
SSEN customers offered flexible connection option
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) will offer flexible connections to all of its customers.
Power
WPD announces results from latest flexibility tender
Western Power Distribution (WPD) has awarded flexibility contracts totalling 21.5MW through its Flexible Power offering following the completion of its latest procurement round.
Gas
ENA report highlights gas networks priorities
The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has released a new report that highlights industry priorities for gas network companies with decarbonisation identified as key.
Gas
Drone project begins flight trials on energy network assets
A project, exploring how drone technology can be used to inspect network infrastructure, is set to begin conducting trials on both the electricity and gas networks this spring.
Gas
Document reveals Labour plan to nationalise energy networks
Plans to put Britain's energy networks back under state ownership have been revealed in a Labour party document.
Power
UKPN announces flexibility tender results
UK Power Networks has announced the results of a tender to procure flexible energy services.
Heat
ScottishPower pledges to make Glasgow UK’s first ‘net zero’ city
ScottishPower, along with Glasgow City Council, is aiming to transform Glasgow into the UK's first 'net zero' city.
Power
£3m investment to upgrade network in North Ayrshire
SP Energy Networks is carrying out a £3 million upgrade to its electricity network in North Ayrshire.
Gas
Considering the impacts of localised energy
At a roundtable event organised by Network in association with National Grid, delegates were invited to consider the beneficial impact of localised energy in supporting the whole energy system.
Customers
WPD using 3D modelling to design substations
Western Power Distribution (WPD) is using the latest 3D modelling technology to revolutionise the design and creation of new substations.
Power
Total tapchanger solutions
Dr Jonathan Hiscock, managing director of Fundamentals Ltd, explains why tapchanger servicing is so important.
Heat
Short interruptions matter
With regulatory and technological changes afoot, the issue of reliability is never far from the top of the agenda for many in the regulatory sector. While much has been said about the need to avoid long power outages, has the issue of smaller interruptions been ignored? Network spoke to S&C Electric Company's director of regulatory affairs, Christopher Watts and its EMEA sales director, Jonathan Hopkins about why short interruptions matter, what can be done to avoid them, and what other solutions will improve grid reliability for the network of tomorrow.
Heat
Dealing with weather events
Alex Prentice, sector lead for utilities at Huntswood, examines how networks can prepare for a significant rise in customer complaints and queries around extreme weather events.
Technology & Operations
NIC challenges government to make infrastructure commitments
The chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to use this autumn's Spending Review to commit to a once-in-a-generation transformation of the UK's transport, energy and technology networks.
Heat
Decarbonisation driving change at ENW
Electricity North West is putting decarbonisation at the heart of its plans. Alec Peachey spoke to chief executive Peter Emery about a number of subjects including the company's drive to reduce carbon emissions, regulation, infrastructure - and how they're performing against the backdrop of a strategic review that could lead to a sale of the business.
Technology & Operations
Britain’s electric grid goes coal-free for a week
National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) has confirmed the first ever week of coal-free operation of Great Britain's electricity system.
Heat
New energy storage research network setup
The Birmingham Centre for Energy Storage (BCES) will lead a new energy storage research network.
Gas
Arup report highlights potential of hydrogen
A new report from Arup finds that hydrogen has a potentially significant role to play in decarbonising the whole energy system in the UK.
Heat
The benefits of flexibility
Graham Ault, executive director at Smarter Grid Solutions, discusses the key values that flexibility can bring to an economically developed and operated grid.
Gas
Keeping assets safe
Security of critical infrastructure has hit the headlines recently, with increasingly sophisticated cyber-attacks targeting the drive to digitalise our systems. Jeopardising the functionality of these assets can materially impact economic security, public health and safety. Cara MacGregor, head of strategy at Lagoni Engineering, discusses the work it's doing in this area.
Customers
£70m network upgrade project progressing well
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is progressing with a £70 million project to upgrade the existing overhead network between Beauly and Keith, with the second phase of work now under way between Nairn and Elgin.
Heat
Vattenfall chosen as ‘front runner’ for heat network project
Vattenfall has been selected as the preferred partner to deliver a district heating infrastructure project in North London.
Gas
£20m project to modernise electricity network in Fife
SP Energy Networks has started a major £20 million project to modernise a key part of the power network in Central and Southern Scotland.
Heat
ENW confirms customer engagement group appointments
Eight industry experts have been appointed to Electricity North West's newly-formed customer engagement group.
Power
SSEN provides £20m network boost
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has invested £20 million in the electricity infrastructure that serves the Ridgeway area of central southern England over the last two years.
Gas
Networks can help UK meet net zero emissions target
Energy networks will be at the heart of the Committee on Climate Change's (CCC) recommendations to move beyond an 80% target and deliver net zero emissions by 2050.
Heat
£30m funding for smart energy systems up for grabs
UK organisations can apply for a share of up to £30 million to develop designs for smart local energy systems that make the best use of innovative technologies including cheaper renewables, energy storage, low carbon heat and digital infrastructure.
Downloads
Protect electrical equipment from insulation failure
Insulation faults are a major cause leading to the eventual failure of electrical equipment. Partial discharge (PD) is a very reliable indicator of developing insulation faults. Regular PD testing allows users to detect and analyze PD activity
Downloads
How E.ON. is helping the City of London become a zero emissions city
Discover Citigen. Deep in the heart of our bustling capital
Downloads
The Innovation Factor: Managing the transition to smart communication technologies in the electricity distribution sector white paper
The transition from legacy communications systems to new technologies can seem daunting for organisations in the electricity sector. But with market dynamics changing rapidly