NIC
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
Range of renewable technologies needed to cope with extreme weather, report claims
The future UK energy system must be able to cope with extreme weather events and will rely on a diverse range of renewable generation technologies in order to do so, according to a report.
Technology & Operations
NIC challenges government to make infrastructure commitments
The chair of the National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has called on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to use this autumn's Spending Review to commit to a once-in-a-generation transformation of the UK's transport, energy and technology networks.
Gas
NIC wants infrastructure improvements for low-carbon lorries
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) has called on the government to prepare detailed assessments of the infrastructure needed to enable the uptake of battery electric or hydrogen lorries.
Gas
NGN and partners provide HyDeploy update
Northern Gas Networks (NGN) joined fellow gas distributer Cadent, the Health & Safety Executive and a consortium of hydrogen industry experts to deliver an update on blended hydrogen project HyDeploy.
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
Networks respond to NIC Call for Ideas
Britain's energy network companies have announced the next steps of the gas and electricity Network Innovation Competition (NIC) Call for Ideas.
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.
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.
Policy & Regulation
NIC to carry out regulation study
The National Infrastructure Commission (NIC) is to examine regulation of the UK's energy, telecoms and water industries.
Gas
£90m energy innovation competition launched
Network companies have called on partners to help them compete for a share of £90 million of funding which is available through Ofgem's Network Innovation Competition (NIC).
Heat
Transforming the network
Network continues its look at projects awarded funding from Ofgem's Network Innovation Competition (NIC) and the Network Innovation Allowance (NIA). Alec Peachey speaks to Colin Taylor, director of processes and technology at SP Energy Networks, about their recent awards.
Gas
NIC winners announced
The winners of Ofgem's annual Network Innovation Competition (NIC) have been announced.
Power
UK Power Networks gets green light for trial to connect more EVs
UK Power Networks is to trial a revolutionary way of managing spare electricity network capacity that could save customers £271 million by 2030 and cut more than 448,000 tonnes of carbon emissions by the same year.
Customers
New software platform gives open access to local grid data
A new software platform giving open access to data from local electricity substations has been launched by Western Power Distribution (WPD) and EA Technology.
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.
Gas
Given the green light: gas
Both of the network innovation competition submissions for gas made the cut in the latest round of innovation funding. Network runs through the projects and Ofgem's pointers for next year.
Heat
ABB to deploy world’s first power electronic fault current limiter
ABB is to deploy the world's first fault current limiting solution based on compact power electronics as part of UK Power Networks' (UKPN) PowerFul-CB project.
Power
WPD to open NIC funding to third parties in 2017
Western Power Distribution (WPD) has announced its intention to receive proposals from third parties in order to shape its 2017 application for Network Innovation Competition (NIC) funding.
Technology & Operations
Ofgem to cut electricity innovation budget by £20m
Ofgem has announced plans to cut the funding pot available to electricity distribution companies from £90 million to £70 million to trial smart grid technology to ensure projects are better value for money.
Customers
SPEN select GE to supply UK’s first multi-vendor digital substation
SP Energy Networks (SPEN) has selected GE to supply an intelligent digital substation with multi-vendor interoperability for the network operator’s Future Intelligent Network Substation (Fitness) project.
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.