Features
Power
Rolling out the Pollywood pole
Quentin Kopp, chairman of Pollywood, discusses a new way to make electricity poles using 85% less wood.
Gas
H21 project highlights potential of hydrogen
The Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has said that hydrogen is a credible option to help decarbonise the UK energy system. Network editor Alec Peachey examines the progress being made and some of the challenges that remain.
Gas
How materials science will underpin the future energy network
What are the materials that will serve as the backbone for electrical energy storage, renewable energy generation, gas and the grid itself in the future, and how might they underpin the future of the energy network? Four academics from Newcastle University and Durham University discuss the role of materials science in developing new network capacity.
Heat
Adopting new technology: the view from Senergy
In our latest interview with small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) on their work with the networks, Network speaks to Senergy chief executive Christine Boyle MBE.
Power
Network Awards 2020: Q&A with judge John Scott
The entry window is now open for this year's Network Awards. But just what are the judges looking for? Network speaks to Chiltern Power's John Scott, a member of our 10-strong panel.
Power
Delivering the smart grid with bandwith for the future
The Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) is undertaking a project to address the bandwidth and security requirements for the smart grid. Kinan Ghanem, communications and systems integration lead, discusses how the project is progressing.
Technology & Operations
Testing substation circuit breakers safely
Damon Mount, UK and Southern Africa sales manager at Megger, discusses safety and accuracy when testing circuit breakers.
Power
Using big data to reduce vegetation risk
Shane Brunker, chief technology officer at NM Group, discusses the importance of vegetation management and how it can be used to improve network operators' storm resilience.
Power
Improving customer contact in the WhatsApp era
As National Customer Service Week draws to a close, Lisa Doogan, head of customer service and stakeholder strategy at Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, describes how it is improving communications with its 3.8 million customers in the north of Scotland and central southern England.
Gas
Meeting demand
This section features regular interviews with small and medium size enterprises (SMEs) to highlight the work they're doing with networks and the types of technologies that are driving innovation forward. This month, Dr Matthew Trewhella - managing director of Kensa Contracting - is the focus.
Gas
Challenging the networks
As part of the RIIO2 price controls set out by Ofgem, network operators are required to set up independently chaired customer engagement groups (CEGs). As part of our Utility of the Future campaign, Network caught up with the chairs of four of these groups to find out more about their role and how they challenge the networks.
Technology & Operations
The first line of defence for MV systems
Tony Wills, application engineer at Megger, discusses the importance of using scanners to detect insulation faults.
Gas
Understanding interconnectors
With post-Brexit energy trading arrangements still unresolved and Europe's connectivity lagging expectations, Fieldfisher energy experts David Haverbeke, Lis Blunsdon and Yohanna Weber, discuss why more attention needs to be focused on critical power infrastructure.
Gas
Solving the EV charging jigsaw
As DNOs present Ofgem with their electric vehicle (EV) readiness documents, illustrating how the transport revolution can be effectively managed, Patrick Erwin, policy and markets director at Northern Powergrid, outlines key policies that would ensure a fair, and properly managed transition.
Customers
Dealing with distributed energy
Active Network Management (ANM) has grown in sync with the rise of distributed energy over the last two decades. Dr Graham Ault, co-founder and executive director of Smarter Grid Solutions, provides an update on the current applications of ANM beyond flexible distributed generation (DG) connections and explores the current state of the ANM market in the UK.
Gas
Unlocking asset infrastructure
The UK's energy networks are under mounting pressure to accommodate new and increasing demands. From regulatory restrictions and the uptake of distributed generation to the increase in electric vehicles and renewable energy solutions, the challenges for existing asset infrastructure are varied and complex. Nadine Buddoo reports.
Gas
Circuit breaker testing with OMICRON
Orlando de Leon, application sales engineer at OMICRON, explains the benefits and new method of testing circuit breakers in Gas Insulated Switchgears (GIS).
Gas
Industry views on blackout
With National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) set to provide a final detailed report on last month's blackout to Ofgem today (6 September), a selection of industry experts provide analysis of what happened and lessons that need to be learnt.
Heat
Accelerating the EV revolution
Matthew Boulton, chief commercial officer at Pivot Power, discusses how the company is working at a local level to speed up the decarbonisation of transport.
Gas
Turning ambition into action
The launch of SSEN Transmission's draft business plan includes an ambition to tackle climate change, connect more renewable energy and transport it across the country. Managing director Rob McDonald tells Network editor Alec Peachey how the company is going to achieve this.
Heat
The totex question
Has total expenditure (totex) become enshrined in utilities' practices? A special pan-utility roundtable held at Utility Week Live sought to find out.
Gas
Hydrogen’s role in the future UK energy system
The Energy Research Partnership (ERP) recently brought together a range of stakeholders from across the energy sector to review the role of hydrogen to help decarbonise the UK energy sector. Their findings will be reported in July and the group has concluded that hydrogen, working together with the low carbon advances made in the electricity sector, has a potential role to play in meeting the needs of a future low or zero-carbon energy system in the UK.
Gas
Achieving the right climate
With the Government committing to cut greenhouse gas emissions in the UK to almost zero by 2050, networks will be key in the facilitation of decarbonisation. Here, Network puts a special focus on the topic of decarbonisation as part of its Network of the Future campaign.
Gas
Gas’s role in a renewable world
Steve Urquhart, business development manager - distributed energy systems at Siemens looks at why we still need gas in a renewable world.
Heat
Putting the focus on flexibility
The Energy Institute's incoming president Steve Holliday reflects on the Energy Barometer 2019 and calls for a renewed and visionary focus on flexibility.
Power
Using asset replacement to improve power reliability
Jonathan Hopkins, EMEA sales director at S&C Electric Company, discusses the importance of replacing ageing assets.
Power
Keeping power cuts to a minimum
As recent events in South America have proven, power cuts can cause widespread disruption, even if they only last a few hours. Network talked to operators in the UK to find out how they are building a more resilient grid and tackling the issue.
Power
Tapping into a problem: 25 years of Fundamentals UK
Fundamentals Ltd is celebrating its 25th anniversary with an amazing team of people and a thriving business. This article gives an overview of how the electrical engineering company has gone from 'garage to greatness' and transformed voltage control for distribution networks.
Technology & Operations
New IEC protection standards for all
Megger's Andrea Bonetti discusses the importance of the new International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) standards and how they apply to everyone who works with relay protection systems.
Policy & Regulation
Challenges around RIIO2
Mark Fitch, an energy regulation expert at PA Consulting, asks will Ofgem's RIIO2 decision dampen the network companies' energy for moving to net zero?
Technology & Operations
Evolving substations of the future
The transition towards a digital architecture in distribution substations delivers a lower lifecycle cost, but can be challenging to implement. How do we tackle this challenge head-on whilst ensuring that substations remain secure and reliable? Dr Ibrahim Abdulhadi, digital substations lead at the PNDC shares his thoughts.