UK Power Networks announces innovation programme to reduce carbon emissions
UK Power Networks has announced it is to embark on a major series of innovation projects to support its drive to reduce carbon emissions in the electricity, heating and transport sectors.
Supported by industry regulator OFGEM’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), 15 new projects will play a significant role in facilitating a low-carbon future at lower cost in London, the South East and East of England.
The projects cover a number of topics ranging from decarbonising heating to the development of hydrogen electrolyser hubs.
With 58 previous innovation projects becoming business-as-usual products, UK Power Networks has a record of helping to commercialise innovation. Over the past seven years, its innovation projects have enabled savings of over £330 million for customers across its network.
Speaking on the upcoming activity Ian Cameron, Director of customer service and innovation at UK Power Networks, said:
“This funding is a testament to the remarkable impact our team have delivered up until this point, and a show of strong belief from Ofgem that we can continue to drive the transition to Net Zero as seamlessly as possible for our customers.
“The funding is connecting us with even more independent innovators. We’ve already witnessed the remarkable benefits of working with the industry to develop new products and are excited to engage with new parties looking to make an active difference in the electricity sector.
“Investing in innovation will be key in facilitating Net Zero, and the Strategic Innovation Fund is a wonderful way to inspire industry groups to bring their forward-thinking ideas to life. We’re looking forward to sharing our learnings with the sector and can’t wait to see what other projects spring up as a result.”
Launched in 2021, the SIF is expected to invest £450 million by 2026.
As part of the industry’s new price control period, the SIF funding mechanism allows Electricity System Operators, electricity transmission, gas transmission and gas distribution companies, to work in partnership alongside independent innovators. The 2023 funding scheme is the first time distribution network companies have been able to take part.
Examples of new SIF-funded UK Power Networks projects include:
- Heat Risers: an innovative heating project aiming to accelerate the decarbonisation of multi-occupancy buildings and reduce costs for all, using whole building solutions
- Lightspeed: aims to develop bi-directional lamppost-based EV charging that would support smart charging and feeding energy back into the grid, while providing faster EV charging at 7 – 22 kW, without requiring major network upgrades
- Connectrolyser: aims to scale hydrogen electrolyser hub development by developing a novel electricity connection agreement and flexibility product to speed up new connections and support the transition to Net Zero to meet the demands of society and industry
- SHIELD: aims to test and deploy new approaches and business models for installing low carbon technologies such as photovoltaic, renewable generation, energy storage, and electric vehicles - in conjunction with low carbon heating solutions to make the decarbonisation of heat and energy affordable and accessible to vulnerable consumers.
Related Content
Housing association to deliver £72m retrofit programme to 3,000 homes
Water-saving measures in new homes to unlock building
- © Ocean Media Group