NIA
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
WPD taking part in £5.2m innovation trial
Western Power Distribution is playing a major role in a £5.2million heat innovation trial which is taking place in homes in South Wales.
Power
New technology to carry out power line inspections
UK Power Networks is using new technology to undertake inspections of remote overhead power lines.
Gas
Energy networks unveil plans for joint innovation strategies
The UK's energy networks have unveiled plans to develop their first ever joint innovation strategies - one each for gas and electricity.
Strategy & Management
Unleashing innovative SMEs ‘vital’ for transforming grids
Networks must do more to unleash the potential of innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), according to a new study launched at Utility Week Live.
Technology & Operations
National Grid to employ artificial intelligence
National Grid Gas Transmission (NGGT) is set to test how cognitive technology can be used to capture expert knowledge from its aging workforce and reduce its reliance on technical experts for common enquiries.
Power
UKPN investigates DNO obligations for domestic storage
Electricity network operator UK Power Networks (UKPN) is to investigate what will be required of DNOs to enable the safe installation of domestic energy storage systems.
Power
WPD to develop prototype to aid EV connections
Western Power Distribution is to develop a prototype device which will increase capacity on low voltage networks and optimise connections for electric vehicles, distributed generation and energy storage.
Power
UKPN to tackle electric shock risk through major survey
UK Power Networks is aiming to tackle the risk of electric shocks to the public through a major survey of its low voltage electricity distribution network.
Power
SPEN to cut costs by extending life of concrete assets
Scottish Power Transmission is to cut power outage times and costs by extending the life of concrete assets.
Technology & Operations
UKPN cut roadworks with NICE trial
UK Power Networks (UKPN) has cut the amount of excavation needed to replace electricity cables in the first live trial of JSM Group’s Non-Intrusive Cable Extraction (NICE) System.
Gas
Innovate to transform: The network innovation allowance
Jamie McWilliam explains the importance of drawing key themes from across the network innovation allowance.
Gas
‘Unquestionable need’ for innovation funding, networks tell Ofgem
Energy networks have unanimously called on Ofgem to continue funding innovation, saying ending the support now would be “premature”.
Power
Scrap intellectual property rules, industry tells Ofgem
Network companies and third parties involved in the Network Innovation Competition (NIC) have called for more flexible rules on intellectual property (IP).
Power
NIC is stifling real innovation, Ofgem told
The Network Innovation Competition (NIC) cannot fund true innovation because of its adverse attitude towards failure and the short time frame allowed to judge a project’s success, third parties involved in the scheme have said.
Policy & Regulation
Ofgem mulls overhaul of network innovation funding
The Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) and the Network Innovation Competition (NIC) are in line for an overhaul as Ofgem confirms an in-depth review of the funding mechanisms over the summer.
Power
The NIC and NIA – innovation without barriers
The call from network operators to Ofgem on the future of innovation funding is loud and clear: it must continue. But they also acknowledge that the funding mechanisms need change to continue to be effective.