smart grids
Gas
Enabling the energy revolution
The shift to digital technology presents many challenges for the energy sector, but it could also create new opportunities with the emergence of micro-grids and private networks. Network spoke to Ibrahim Cobanoglu, digital lead for ABB Power Grids, to find out more.
Heat
Short interruptions matter
With regulatory and technological changes afoot, the issue of reliability is never far from the top of the agenda for many in the regulatory sector. While much has been said about the need to avoid long power outages, has the issue of smaller interruptions been ignored? Network spoke to S&C Electric Company's director of regulatory affairs, Christopher Watts and its EMEA sales director, Jonathan Hopkins about why short interruptions matter, what can be done to avoid them, and what other solutions will improve grid reliability for the network of tomorrow.
Gas
120MW battery storage portfolio transaction completed
UK Power Reserve has awarded the second phase of its battery-based energy storage portfolio contracts to Fluence, a Siemens and AES company.
Customers
Using mGuard in the energy industry
Nigel Dawbarn, market segment manager - industry management and automation at Phoenix Contact, discusses the importance of secure connections for industrial control systems.
Power
Utility Week Wales Energy conference
Join major stakeholders and policy developers in the Welsh energy sector pave the way towards a sustainable low-carbon transition for Wales.
Power
ENA reveals roadmap for shift to DSO model
The Energy Networks Association has published a roadmap outlining the key steps in the introduction of the distribution system operator (DSO) model for local power networks.
Power
New players pose risk to power system
"A host of new players" in the power system pose a risk to its stability if government does not act to help co-ordinate their integration, experts have warned.
Power
UKPN and National Grid in pioneering smart grid scheme
UK Power Networks and National Grid have launched a new active network management scheme to boost grid capacity in the South East of England and simplify the connections process for generators.
Heat
Active network management triumph in Shetlands smart grid scheme
An £18 million smart grid trial on the Shetland Islands has been hailed as a success by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.
Heat
Industrial strategy for networks must be ‘hyper-local’
Electricity North West has called on the government to take a "hyper-local" approach to networks in its new industrial strategy.
Heat
New Thames Valley Vision proves success of smart technologies
Low voltage substation monitors, street side battery storage units, and hot and cold thermal storage technology have been successfully trialled in the six year, £30m New Thames Valley Vision (NTVV) innovation project.
Gas
Networks must collaborate on common smart tech standards
Operators will otherwise face restrictive rules and regulations imposed by government
Strategy & Management
Energy Systems Catapult and Beama formalise joint working
The Energy Systems Catapult and Beama have signed a new agreement for joint working on energy system innovation.
Power
Cisco invests in UK smart grid future
Global technology giant Cisco has committed itself to accelerating UK smart grid innovation by becoming a tier 1 member of the Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) at Strathclyde University.
Power
PNDC seeks network data pioneers
The Power Networks Demonstration Centre (PNDC) has launched a competition for innovators in data monitoring to enable unprecedented visibility at distribution level.
Heat
Scilly Isles move towards ‘full energy independence’
Home battery company Moixa has started work on an energy systems project on the Isles of Scilly which will support the islands' "path to full energy independence".
Gas
The TSO/DSO divide: Facilitating co-ordination
The Energy Networks Association's David Smith reveals the co-ordinated transition to DSO will be its key focus over the coming years.
Gas
Smart Systems Forum calls for industry experts
A new Smart Systems Forum will implement and steer the forthcoming Smart Systems plan.
Strategy & Management
ENA launches project to aid evolution of network roles
The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has launched a new project to explore the challenges around the evolving roles of network companies in the transition to a smart, flexible energy network.
Customers
Bridging the divide in a smart system
The Energy Networks Association's response to BEIS' Smart Systems consultation will focus on facilitating the transition to DSO, David Smith reveals.
Technology & Operations
Ofgem opens Innovation Link for energy disruptors
Ofgem has officially launched its Innovation Link, a hub for hopeful technology and services providers seeking to transform energy systems.
Customers
SSEN to procure CMZ services
SSEN has initiated a procurement process for Constraint Managed Zone services in the Yeovil area, Dorset.
Technology & Operations
Moody’s: DNOs will be winners of energy storage boom
Distribution Network Operators will be among the "key beneficiaries" of a boom in battery technology as falling prices allow DNOs to cut their costs and boost their credit quality.
Heat
What does DSO really mean?
Distribution network operators are starting their transition to distribution system operators, but the industry lacks consensus on what the role really entails.
Power
Substation monitoring system wins Innovate UK grant
A remote monitoring system for electricity distribution substations which undercuts the price of alternative solutions by more than ten times has been awarded funding by Innovate UK.
Technology & Operations
Schneider Electric launches EcoStruxure Grid
Schneider Electric has launched a new open internet-of-things enabled framework to enable distribution networks to realise innovation at every level of the grid.
Policy & Regulation
Smart and flexible energy consultation opens
Ofgem and the Department for Business Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) have issued a call for evidence on approaches to establishing a smart and flexible power system in the UK.
Gas
Future Networks 2017
The third annual Future Networks conference takes place in Birmingham, on 21 March, 2017.
Power
Low carbon vision: insights from the NTVV innovation project
New Thames Valley Vision reveals how an intelligent approach to network monitoring can bring positive benefits to customers.
Customers
ENW to automate 100% of LV network by 2018
Electricity North West says it will connect all of its service points a new Network Management System in order to gain complete visibility of its low voltage network.
Gas
Move beyond vector-specific energy regimes
‘Whole system’ thinking for governance and regulation of energy networks could unlock untold efficiencies and business opportunity, says George Day