News
Heat
SSE calls for further measures to support district heat
One of the UK’s leading heat network providers SSE has welcomed the announcement of a £39 million funding scheme to support district heat development, but said further measures are needed.
Gas
Campaign group calls for extra conditions on heat network funding
Campaign group Fuel Poverty Action has called for additional conditions to be attached to government funding for heat networks to ensure consumer’s interests are protected.
Heat
Accelerated deployment could exacerbate design issues, warns heat industry
Parts of the heat network supply chain are not ready for the accelerated deployment that is likely to be driven by the £320 million funding awarded through the Heat Networks Investment Project, industry has warned.
Heat
£39m pilot launches heat networks investment project
The first stage of the £320 million Heat Networks Investment project announced by the government last year has been launched with a £39 million pilot scheme.
Technology & Operations
National Grid to upgrade substation control system
National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) is set to upgrade 10% of its substations in England and Wales with the Locamation SAS2000 centralised substation control system.
Gas
SSE sells stake in SGN
SSE has agreed to sell a 16.7% equity stake in gas distribution network SGN to wholly owned subsidiaries of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (ADIA) for £621 million.
Power
New industry accord secures skills investment
27 energy and utility companies and suppliers have pledged to uphold a new accord to drive investment in skills throughout the industry supply chain.
Power
SSEN launches consultation on EV charging
Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has launched an industry consultation to inform the development of a standardised industry-wide agreement for the connection, charging and control of electric vehicles.
Gas
Progress on heating has ‘stalled’, CCC warns
Progress towards the decarbonisation of heating has “stalled”, the Committee on Climate Change (CCC) has warned.
Gas
Murphy starts substation build for new CHP plant
J Murphy & Sons has completed the first phase of utility installations for a new biomass CHP power plant in Northumberland and will now begin construction of the plant substation.
Technology & Operations
EIC launches innovation “lab” programme
The Energy Innovation Centre has announced it will deliver a new series of workshops for gas and power network operators to help them improve innovation culture, process and strategy.
Heat
Ofgem targets “flexible” scenario planning
The energy regulator has unveiled a new programme of insight reports to help it develop an “open minded and flexible” response to the energy revolution.
Policy & Regulation
LCNF benefits could reach £7.8bn
The discounted net benefits of innovation projects carried out with support from the Low Carbon Network Fund could be as much as £7.8 billion.
Power
ABB brings “plug and play” microgrid solution to market
Global technology company ABB has launched a new modular offering to support the easy operation of microgrids.
Gas
New managing director for Balfour Beatty T&D
Former National Grid employee Ian Currie has been appointed managing director of Balfour Beatty’s power transmission and distribution services business.
Heat
Connections provider announces new exec team
Independent connections provider Energetics has announced a range of executive appointments including a new chief executive.
Power
Northern Powergrid increases online access with audio service
Distribution network operator Northern Powergrid has made accessing its website easier for customers by including the new Browsealoud service, which offers guided audio narration.
Heat
Call for network charging regime review
Ofgem has been urged to carry out "comprehensive” review of network charging by the head of the Energy Intensive Users Group
Power
New chief financial officer for Murphy
Engineering and construction specialist Murphy has appointed David Burke as its new chief financial officer.
People & Skills
MUS names new chairman and CEO
Contractor Morrison Utility Services has announced the names of its new chairman and chief executive.
Gas
ABB and Fluor join forces for energy revolution
ABB and global engineering firm Fluor have announced a partnership which will enhance their ability to deliver smart substation projects globally.
Policy & Regulation
Fifth OFTO tender round kicks off
Ofgem has announced its fifth, and biggest, tender round for offshore transmission owners (OFTOs) will kick off on 10 October.
Gas
Moixa launches solar storage scheme
Home battery storage company Moixa has launched a solar storage offer to protect households from rising prices.
Power
Cost of backing up solar is ‘negligible’
The cost of backing up solar generation and integrating it into the energy system is “negligible”, a report commissioned by the Solar Trade Association has found.
Gas
Moixa launches solar storage scheme
Home battery storage company Moixa has launched a solar storage offer to protect households from rising prices.
Gas
Price benchmarking tool will force heat suppliers to ‘step up’
Heat Trust has today launched a calculator which allows heat network customers to compare the cost of their heating against the typical gas boiler.
Policy & Regulation
Labour conference: Former shadow energy minister backs change to SO
A former shadow energy minister has backed calls for changes to the system operator role currently performed by National Grid.
Customers
Labour conference: Domestic DSR gains will be ‘limited’
The potential gains from domestic demand side response (DSR) are “limited”, an energy expert told delegates at the Labour Party conference in Liverpool.
Gas
WWU increases apprenticeship intake by 200 per cent
Wales and West Utilities (WWU) has recruited 200 per cent more apprentices than it did in 2013 as it delivers on its commitment to invest in young people and attract them to the gas industry.
Policy & Regulation
WWU predicts major change to price control outputs
Wales and West Utilities (WWU) has warned outputs in the next price control for gas distribution network operators are likely to be based on consequence rather than asset health which will be a “challenge for the industry to get its head around.”
Strategy & Management
UKPN to strengthen customer engagement with new role
UK Power Networks (UKPN) has created the new role of head of customer engagement to increase its focus on customer service.