innovation
Heat
An honourable mention: James Yu interview
SP Energy Networks' Future Networks Manager, Professor James Yu, received an MBE in the New Year's Honours List. Here Network catches up with him to discuss challenges, past, present and future.
Power
Innovation for networks: beyond the buzzwords
As the electricity networks gear up for the next price control period, and the water networks get to grips with new deliverables under Asset Management Plan 7 (AMP7), companies in both sectors face considerable challenges.
Technology & Operations
Costain webinar highlights five ways to crack innovation
Optimising assets, reducing risk and maximising return on investment - the "to do list" of major companies in the energy and water sectors becomes ever longer.
People & Skills
New campaign calls for dementia-friendly energy ideas
Improvements to the way utilities deliver services to people living with dementia are expected to result from a new campaign launched by the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC).
Technology & Operations
Innovation into BAU: three steps to success
It's always satisfying to see energy network operators' innovation projects turn - eventually - into 'business as usual'(BAU) and embedded in the everyday operation of the business, says Kelvatek's Jonathan Rodgers.
Power
Brixton residents to trial smart ‘flexible energy’ project
A project run by UK Power Networks will see residents of a block of flats in Brixton be among the first domestic users in the UK to tap into the fast-emerging 'flexible energy' market.
Gas
Innovators recognised at UK Energy Innovation Awards 2019
A number of innovators that are playing a role in supporting the UK to meet its net zero targets for greenhouse gas emission by 2050 were recognised at the UK Energy Innovation Awards last week.
Gas
Ideas sought for £90m annual innovation competition
Up to £90 million of funding will be up for grabs in the upcoming Network Innovation Competition, with the Energy Networks Association (ENA) issuing a call for ideas.
Gas
Network Awards 2020 open for entries
Following a successful inaugural year in 2019, the Network Awards will return on 17th March 2020, shining a light once more on the good work taking place across the UK's energy networks, their supply chains and stakeholders.
Power
UKPN boosts safety with introduction of location technology
UK Power Networks is adopting new location technology which could save the lives of rural workers and landowners.
Gas
Catapult chooses five SMEs for Innovator Support Platform
Five SMEs working on innovative heating and cooling solutions have been selected by Energy Systems Catapult to receive tailored business incubation and acceleration support.
Customers
ENW highlights innovative schemes to Ofgem
Electricity North West recently showcased some of its innovative projects to senior figures from energy regulator Ofgem.
Power
International award for UKPN
UK Power Networks has received international recognition for its work including the development of a smart grid.
Heat
Innovation delivered
The pace of change across the UK's gas, power and heat networks continues to advance. At the heart of this change lies collaboration and innovation. With this in mind editor Alec Peachey spoke to UK Power Networks head of innovation Ian Cameron about the work the network operator is doing.
Gas
The future of utility quality assurance
With the growing investment in domestic and commercial developments alongside the daily replacement and repair of our network assets, quality installation procedures and conformance to industry standards has never been more important for the future performance of our infrastructure. Mark Pereira, marketing manager at ControlPoint, discusses.
Heat
£30m funding for smart energy systems up for grabs
UK organisations can apply for a share of up to £30 million to develop designs for smart local energy systems that make the best use of innovative technologies including cheaper renewables, energy storage, low carbon heat and digital infrastructure.
Power
SGS enters innovation partnership with SP Energy Networks
Smarter Grid Solutions (SGS) is helping to accelerate the roll out of electric vehicles after entering an innovation project partnership with SP Energy Networks.
Gas
Winners of Network Awards revealed
The winners of the inaugural Network Awards were unveiled at a gala evening at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole last night (26 March).
Gas
Study outlines potential growth of low-carbon technologies
A "future energy scenario analysis" study undertaken by REGEN, has mapped out the potential growth of low-carbon technologies in Scottish Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) southern licence area.
Power
UK’s first smart charging market for EV drivers
UK Power Networks is taking steps to create the country's first smart charging market for electric vehicle drivers.
Customers
NIC seeking views on regulation of essential services
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is seeking views on what future changes may be required to improve regulation of the energy, telecoms and water industries.
Technology & Operations
Network launches new video section
Network has launched a new video section designed to help educate the sector.
Power
Electricity innovation showcase highlights savings of £149m
UK Power Networks demonstrated an approach that has saved customers £149 million through innovative technology and solutions, at an industry event earlier this week.
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
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.
Heat
How gamification can support the energy transition
Gamification enables companies to create customer experiences that take on game-like qualities - proving valuable in improving user-engagement across many industries. Northern Powergrid's innovation project manager, Andrew Webster, explores what makes game-playing a potential winner for the energy industry and explains how to harness this technology to benefit customers and the power network.
Gas
Cadent using ‘Gas Bots’ to carry out pipe repairs
Cadent is using innovative 'Gas-Bots' to carry out repairs to gas pipes in London.
Power
AI could halve the number of power cuts
Artificial intelligence (AI) could help predict and prevent power cuts before they happen, potentially helping to halve the number of outages.
Gas
Understanding assets
Energy systems are changing and balancing the need to upgrade the networks for the future customer while maintaining the operational performance and affordability needed today is key. Ben Hargreaves reports.
Power
Online portal could boost renewable generation
UK Power Networks is testing a new online portal that could save as much in carbon emissions as planting a forest 2.5 times the size of the city of London every year and reduce costs by at least £1 million a year.
Gas
Embracing change
Akshay Kaul, director of network price controls at Ofgem, speaks exclusively to Network editor Alec Peachey about the regulator's stakeholder engagement incentive and a range of other subjects including RIIO2, innovation and the future energy system.