Innovators recognised at UK Energy Innovation Awards 2019

The event took place on Thursday (26 September) evening at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool with more than 350 guests from the utilities sector and innovation community attending the glittering ceremony, which was organised by the EIC.

Opening proceedings, Dermot Nolan, CEO of Ofgem, said: “This evening is a remarkable celebration of the good work being done to drive innovation into our energy systems. However, we need more innovation from third parties and those outside of the sector to help support the scale and pace of change needed to meet the demand for a net zero carbon future. For this to happen we must create a level playfield for innovators and that is why the EIC plays such an important role. Innovation will be important to decarbonising the system at lowest cost to consumers. The next price control will be tougher on the industry but will reward those networks pushing innovation and bringing new technology into business as usual.”

The event saw television comedian Hal Cruttenden welcome the 12 winners to the stage to collect their awards.

The ‘Best Innovation in Electricity’ award was presented to London-based business Kaluza. The company uses AI and machine learning to optimise smart devices by analysing consumer behaviours and real-time market signals to activate storage systems and chargers. Exercising this control at scale, Kaluza creates vast amounts of flexibility to help alleviate grid pressures at peak times and reduce carbon emissions. The platform has been described as transforming homes into ‘mini power stations’ and empowering consumers.

The judging panel commended Kaluza’s platform for tackling key challenges surrounding the transition to a zero-carbon grid, through an impressive digital solution.

Following the showcase of green innovations, Turbo Power Systems (TPS) picked up the award for ‘Best Distribution Service Operator Enabling Project’ for its bi-directional converters for EV chargers.

The company was commended for developing a ground-breaking range of advanced EV charger converters. These are designed so that as well as allowing EVs to charge, vehicles can also give back power to the National Grid. The converters were also hailed for enabling the integration of low-carbon technologies into the distribution network. 

Artur Krasnodebski, engineering manager at Turbo Power Systems, said: “We believe that our bi-directional DC-DC converters are going to revolutionise the EV space – by remedying the challenges surrounding synchronism to the networks. We’re really pleased to have been recognised for our innovation among so many other strong contenders that have been present at this year’s awards.”

The ‘Social Impact Award’ was presented to Egnida Group Ltd which provides an intelligent tool – Project Reach – that identifies UK properties that might be ‘fuel poor’. What’s more the tool is also able to calculate how individuals could lower their fuel spending by providing options for lower carbon energy and associated funding that they might benefit from.

In closing the event, the EIC’s managing director, Denise Massey (pictured), said: “This year’s event has truly highlighted the UK’s strength in developing innovative solutions for the immediate challenges the energy and water sectors face.

“The fact that a large number of this year’s entrants are supporting our industry to become smarter and greener, really does provide confidence that the UK can lead the way when it comes to tackling the challenges of climate change and meet its target on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The expertise and skills needed to meet this challenge are already present in the innovator community, however, we also need bold leadership from within the utilities sector to identify the areas that most need innovating.

“We’re now in our ninth year of the awards and the quality of entries is still getting better each year. This not only proves that innovators have a major role to play in our energy and utilities landscape, it also demonstrates the need for their continued collaboration with energy distribution networks and utility providers.”  

The UK Energy Innovation Awards 2019 were sponsored by EIC industry partners: Wales & West Utilities, Northern Gas Networks, Northern Powergrid, UK Power Networks, Cadent, SGN, Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, SP Energy Networks, Northumbrain Water Group. National Grid and Energy Systems Catapult.

Alongside general sponsors: University of Strathclyde Power, Networks Demonstration Centre, Kelvatek, Baringa, and official media sponsor, Network Magazine.

 

The UK Energy Innovation Awards winners were:

Best electricity network improvement

Outram Research Ltd

Best innovation – electricity

Kaluza

Best gas network improvement

Synthotech Ltd

Best innovation – gas

Steve Vick International

Best water utility improvement

nuron Ltd

Best innovation – water

PAM Analytics

Best collaborative project

PassivSystems Limited

Young innovator of the year

Rob Battrum

Young Innovator of the Year (Highly Commended)

Thomas Shepherd

Best emerging cross-vector technology

PassivSystems Limited

Best DSO enabling project

Turbo Power Systems (TPS)

Social impact

Egnida Group Limited

Customer focus

GenGame Ltd

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