Features
Power
Unlocking the value of flexibility for networks
As flexibility procurement becomes a crucial tool for distribution network operators (DNOs), energy users are presented with a new opportunity, writes Andrew McKenna, commercial manager at Northern Powergrid, who is leading the development of the company's flexibility services implementation.
Power
Utility asset management: it’s time for a rethink
Fugro's game-changing Virtual World Asset Management (VWAM) platform is transforming how power infrastructure owners monitor the environmental context and condition of their assets. Robert Hoddenbach, global director power, explains.
Customers
Simplifying partial discharge testing
OMICRON's Andreas Cobet introduces MONTESO 200, a revolutionary new device designed to simplify the challenging area of partial discharge testing.
Power
Staying safe and smart
Siemens energy management division head of cyber security Volker Distelrath talks to Greg Pitcher about digital networks, data analytics and the importance of simulating cyber-attacks to stay safe.
Gas
The key to a low-carbon energy future
Stuart Easterbrook, future gas strategy manager at Cadent, on why decisions made at a local level are key to a low-carbon energy future.
Gas
The increasing threat of cyber-attacks
There is no doubt that cyber-attacks on energy companies and infrastructure have increased in scope and severity over the past decade. Ben Hargreaves provides an overview of this important subject area and looks at what can be done to keep energy networks secure.
Gas
Making excavation safer
The unintentional striking of an electrical cable or gas pipeline has a significant impact on asset owners, damaging their infrastructure, disrupting their customers and undermining their brand reputation. Richard Broome, managing director at LSBUD (Linesearch BeforeUdig), draws on data from the company's recent 'Digging Up Britain' report to consider how common a problem asset strikes are and looks at what more can be done to stop them.
Gas
Comparing markets
Jeff Casey, director of UK business development for Burns & McDonnell, takes a comparative look at market factors driving the UK and US energy industry.
Gas
From TV to EVs
Robert Llewellyn is a British actor, comedian and writer. He plays the mechanoid Kryten in the TV sci-fi sitcom Red Dwarf and formerly presented the TV engineering gameshow Scrapheap Challenge. More recently he has become an advocate for electric vehicles and presents YouTube series Fully Charged. In an exclusive interview with Network editor Alec Peachey he talks about his passion for EVs, gives his views on the energy sector and provides an insight into his TV career.
Power
A platform-based approach to distribution operations
Brad Williams, vice president, industry strategy at Oracle Utilities gives his views on the challenges facing distribution network operators (DNOs) as they continue to make the transition to distribution system operators (DSOs).
Power
Getting regulation right
Flexibility and the DSO business model was the topic of discussion at a recent roundtable hosted by Network and Oracle. With work now well underway on the second set of RIIO price controls, speakers were keen to talk about the impact of regulation on the transformation of networks.
Technology & Operations
Taking a whole-system approach
Pete Massey, founder and director of Upcurve Limited, discusses the benefits of taking a whole-system approach.
Power
Powering improvement
David Spillett, head of safety, health and environment at the Energy Networks Association (ENA), talks about why safety, both for staff and the public, is the highest priority for network companies.
Power
Stimulating skills
Liam O'Sullivan, head of capital programme delivery at UK Power Networks, discusses the importance of skills and where the industry's future talent might come from.
Gas
Quality apprenticeships for networks
Dr Jacqueline Hall, associate director of the Energy & Utilities Independent Assessment Service (EUIAS), discusses the importance of assessing apprentices working in the sector.
Power
The evolving utility landscape
After years of comparative stability and predictability, power utilities' traditional business models are experiencing significant shift and disruption. Cisco's Andrew Longyear outlines why this requires a fresh approach to security, from protecting networks to safeguarding critical national infrastructure.
Gas
Solving the whole-system challenge
At a recent National Grid roundtable discussion held in association with Network entitled 'Solving future system challenges now' attendees examined how a whole-system approach could help solve the myriad of challenges faced by the industry. Tom Grimwood reports.
Gas
The future of gas
Tony Nixon, head of gas transmission, regulation, National Grid talks to Network editor Alec Peachey about a range of subjects including decarbonisation, taking a whole system approach and the future role of gas.
Heat
An alternative source of power
Drilling has started to build the UK's first deep geothermal electricity plant at the United Downs Industrial Estate near St Day in Cornwall. Dr Ryan Law, managing director of Geothermal Engineering Ltd, provides details of the project and outlines next steps.
Heat
Flying the line
Western Power Distribution (WPD) is the only network operator that has its own fleet of helicopters used to detect potential faults on the overhead electricity network. The unit is based at Bristol Airport and Network editor Alec Peachey was invited to take a look around.
Power
When two worlds align
Kevin Toye, advanced solutions manager at Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), talks about the importance of aligning both the energy and transport sectors to allow the industry to keep up with the take-up of ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs).
Gas
Changing fast and slow
The Association of Decentralised Energy (ADE) deputy director (incoming) Dr Joanne Wade talks about the progress that's been made to reduce carbon emissions since the introduction of the Climate Change Act in November 2008.
Gas
Learning is key
David Smith, chief executive of the Energy Networks Association (ENA), talks to Network editor Alec Peachey about this year's Low Carbon Networks Innovation (LCNI) Conference and gives his views on the sector.
Gas
The decarbonisation challenge
Simon Fairman - director, safety and network strategy at Cadent - looks at the role of gas and hydrogen powered vehicles in helping to reduce emissions.
Technology & Operations
Why energy storage is going to revolutionise the electricity system
Find out why UK Power Networks think that energy storage is going to revolutionise the electricity system. See video below:
Heat
Maintaining a resilient energy system
"In the future how long can we live without electricity?" asks a group of key decision makers from across the energy sector. A recent report entitled 'Future Resilience of the UK Electricity System' and published by the Energy Research Partnership (ERP) highlights a range of future trends that will need to be acted upon to assure we have a resilient electricity system in the future.
Gas
Energy and transport integration
Faye Banks (director of energy) and Phil Proctor (associate director - smart grid technologies) from Costain discuss meeting climate change targets through the integration of energy and transport sectors.
Gas
Innovation for the nation
Decarbonisation is changing the energy system rapidly and the way in which energy is produced, supplied and consumed is already very different from only a few years ago. Randolph Brazier, head of innovation at the Energy Networks Association (ENA), looks at some of the key trends in this space.
Power
Accelerating innovation
Jeremy Carey, managing director of 42 Technology, highlights the development of new condition monitoring technology and talks about the challenges as an SME of working with distribution network operators (DNOs).
Gas
Cadent’s ‘Gas-Bots’
Cadent's 'Gas-Bots' are being used to repair gas pipes in London. The CISBOT has been used beneath one of London's busiest locations - The Strand.
Technology & Operations
Deploying energy storage solutions
The UK will hopefully see the addition of around 500 megawatts of operational battery storage within the next 12 months. If the regulatory regime in the UK is upgraded to allow for the growth in deployment of storage technologies, it is anticipated that up to 12GW of battery storage will be deployed by the end of 2021. Here, Omexom discuss the work its doing in this area.