News
Customers
Microwaves open door to increased network capacity
An anaerobic digestion plant on the Isle of Wight has successfully used microwave technology to connect to the electricity distribution network without traditional generating restrictions.
Gas
Renewed calls to fund gas connections via Eco
UK gas distribution networks have called for amendments to the Energy Company Obligation (Eco) so that it can be used to fund connections to the gas grid for the fuel poor.
Power
‘Mafia-like’ panel skewing network charging reforms
The panel of industry leaders responsible for reviewing modifications to network charging arrangements in the UK has been accused of skewing reforms to favour established players in the energy system.
Power
Panel chair denies big company bias on network charging
Smaller players in the energy sector are getting a fair hearing on changes to network charging, despite claims to the contrary, the head of an industry panel has said.
Power
Flexible connections free 3.7GW of network capacity
New approaches taken by distribution network operators to speed up the connections process for distributed generation has enabled 3.7GW of connection offers, but stakeholders have said DNOs could still do more.
Power
Consultations are damaging investor confidence in storage
New and smaller participants of the demand side response market are struggling to voice their views on the necessary changes to network charging.
Policy & Regulation
Ofgem rethinks RIIO cycle
Ofgem has said it will reconsider the current eight-year price control period for energy networks.
Gas
WWU seeks role in decarbonising transport sector
Gas distribution operator Wales and West Utilities (WWU) has positioned itself to play an active role in decarbonising the transport sector by joining the Natural Gas Vehicles Network (NGVN).
Gas
Smart Systems Forum calls for industry experts
A new Smart Systems Forum will implement and steer the forthcoming Smart Systems plan.
Power
London streetlights provide EV charge
Streetlights connected to electricity networks in Kensington and Chelsea will now act as charge points for electric vehicles (EVs).
Gas
Skills strategy aims to catalyse infrastructure revolution
The utilities sector's first skills and workforce renewal strategy has been launched to safeguard essential services and delivery of the National Infrastructure Plan.
Technology & Operations
WPD disappointed by storage availability performance
Western Power Distribution (WPD) has found that battery storage trials show the technology falls short of availability reliability standards for the provision of grid flexibility.
Power
Oil recycling will cut transformer spend by £32m
An improved oil recycling process developed by Electricity North West (ENW) will extend the life of transformers by up to 15 years.
Gas
WWU invites applications for 2017 apprentice intake
Gas distributor Wales and West Utilities (WWU) is inviting applications for its apprentice programme as part of its long term commitment to recruit from across the area it serves.
Gas
WWU achieves perfect health and safety score
Wales and West Utilities (WWU) has achieved a perfect score in its Achilles health and safety accreditation.
Gas
National Grid goes green in world first substation gas trial
One of National Grid's substations will be the first in the world to use a new 'green' environmentally friendly alternative to SF gas when it is energised this month.
Heat
Value of district heating contracts quadruple in 2016
The value of district heating contract tenders issued in 2016 for the public sector has quadrupled, rising to £350m from just £76m the year before.
Power
Solar-linked battery storage trial begins in Somerset
An innovative solar-linked battery storage project developed by Western Power Distribution (WPD) is now up and running in Somerset.
Gas
Gas network achieves pinnacle of customer service
Wales and West Utilities (WWU) has become the first gas network to be certified for accreditation for helping its vulnerable customers.
Power
Power lines set to go underground in North Pennines
Northern Powergrid is set to remove two kilometres of visible power lines from the North Pennines as part of ongoing work to improve the scenery.
Power
First power conductor in 30 years doubles capacity in Scotland
The installation of a new 275kV single conductor has allowed SP Energy Networks to connect an offshore wind farm to its network while avoiding the need for major reinforcement.
Power
Drones take off in wind sector
Aerial inspection company Cyberhawk has reported strong growth in the last 12 months following "impressive" demand from the wind sector.
Policy & Regulation
Local microgrids must pay network charges
Local microgrids must contribute to network costs to avoid disadvantaging other consumers, Ofgem has argued.
Technology & Operations
Cross-sector partnership to drive adoption of drones
Energy networks are working with the Department of Transport and the Civil Aviation Authority to push the adoption of drone technology as standard practise for asset inspection.
Power
UKPN boosts protection for vulnerable customers
UK Power Networks has revealed its plan to introduce a new "emergency pack" for vulnerable customers to use in the event of a power cut.
Gas
BEIS eyes storage for black starts
The scope for large-scale energy storage to provide black start services to the national grid in the event of a system failure has been recognised by the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) within a new funding competition for large-scale batteries.
Policy & Regulation
New interconnector approved by French energy regulator
A 1GW interconnector between the UK and France has been approved by the French energy regulator.
People & Skills
SSEN recognised for customer service for second year running
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has become the first network operator to meet the requirements of the British Standard Inclusive Service Provision for two years in a row.
Gas
NGN partners in £30m integrated energy centre
Northern Gas Networks has partnered with the Centre for Integrated Energy Systems to set up a £30m research and demonstration facility for multi-vector energy systems.
Gas
Align network price controls to boost innovation
Ofgem should change to regulatory price control periods for gas and electricity networks in order to encourage joint investment planning and a "whole system" approach to decarbonisation, according to a leading academic.
Gas
GDN CO charity fund aims to boost awareness of silent killer
A new charitable fund designed to encourage new and innovative ideas around raising awareness of the risks, dangers and symptoms of CO has been launched by the four distribution network operators.