Eight National Grid-led projects exploring innovation in the electricity transmission and distribution networks have been given the green light to progress to the first ‘discovery’ phase of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) programme.
The ambitious innovation projects will provide critical learnings and research to help inform the future development of a net zero energy system at the same time as delivering significant benefits to consumers.
National Grid Electricity Transmission has been awarded £396,000 for three projects that will help develop a net zero electricity network, including: investigating technology to increase power flow capability on existing overhead lines; development of a long-term strategy to remove electrical insulating gas sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) from the network; and, a project to assess whole energy system resilience.
National Grid Electricity Distribution has been awarded £500,000 for all five of the projects it applied for through the fund, one of which will investigate using electric vehicles to help restore power supplies to vulnerable customers should there be a power cut.
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The other four projects will explore the impact of thermal energy efficiency on network loads, the use of digital solutions to support regional network planning, flexibility opportunities across different utilities and the role of digital technologies in developing a local smart energy system.
National Grid’s electricity distribution business will also be collaborating on a further four SIF projects – two with Wales & West Utilities and two with the National Grid Electricity System Operator.
Nicola Todd, Head of Strategy and Innovation at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said: “It’s great to see National Grid’s networks leading the way with the sort of ambitious thinking needed to tackle some of the biggest challenges in energy. This funding will help drive progress on a raft of innovative projects, from new technologies to boost network capacity, to how we reduce our dependency on the greenhouse gas SF6.
“Work on these initiatives is helping to shape the future of Britain’s energy networks and accelerating the transition to net zero, at lowest cost to consumers.”
Jenny Woodruff, Innovation Team Manager at National Grid Electricity Distribution, said: “We are thrilled that all our projects applications were approved as this is our first experience of SIF. We are eager to crack on with the projects that are very diverse and between them cover a wide range of ways that we can help reach net zero. We are also excited to be working with new project partners which often brings new insights.
“The discovery phase will allow us to test key assumptions and carry out the early work necessary to firm up our plans for the alpha and beta SIF phases where we can develop the initial ideas into prototypes and full-scale trials.”
Full details of the funding for Ofgem’s SIF scheme, which is managed in partnership with Innovate UK, can be found on its website.
