Tag: National Grid

£400k for National Grid innovation projects as part of Ofgem fund to help shape Britain’s net zero transition

Stuart Mitchell

Research into state-of-the-art monitoring systems for offshore cables and an initiative to support the decarbonisation of rural areas are among the National Grid-led innovation projects to be funded through the latest stage of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). Three projects across National Grid’s electricity transmission and distribution networks have secured almost £400,000 to fund feasibility studies as part of the SIF’s discovery phase, which backs the most promising innovations that could accelerate the net zero transition. National Grid Electricity Transmission (ET) has been awarded £135,000 for one project – HIRE –…

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UK’s first transmission-connected solar farm goes live

Stuart Mitchell

The first photovoltaic (PV) solar array to connect directly to the electricity transmission network in the UK was energised this week as National Grid connected Enso Energy (Enso) and Cero Generation (Cero)’s new 50MW Larks Green solar farm to its Iron Acton substation near Bristol. This follows installation of new switchgear at the site by Cero and Enso in collaboration with National Grid, and the running of a high-voltage cable between the substation and solar farm, which has enabled National Grid to successfully connect the 49.9MW Larks Green solar farm…

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National Grid granted nearly £1m from Ofgem to fund eight net zero innovation projects

Stuart Mitchell

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…

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National Grid goes carbon-free with hydrogen-powered substation trial

Stuart Mitchell

National Grid has completed a ten-week trial to test a hydrogen-powered generator at its Deeside Centre for Innovation (DCI), a state-of-the-art testing facility hosting a 400 kV modified substation, designed as a unique environment for development and trial of innovative technologies and practices. A GeoPura 250kW hydrogen power unit (HPU) contained within a transportable shipping container measuring 7.2 m by 2.5 m was installed at DCI and produced the energy to power low-voltage equipment needed for National Grid’s innovation testing projects and site operations. The trial tested the capabilities and…

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Major firms work together to drive regional green investment

Stuart Mitchell

Four of Britain’s biggest firms are working together to advise on pilot projects to drive green investment into local areas, and promote economic growth. As part of the Prime Minister’s Business Council, the leaders of Lloyds Banking Group, Octopus Energy, Shell and National Grid have launched the Local Low Carbon Accelerator (LLCA) project to provide a blueprint for local authorities and the private sector to work together and get green infrastructure delivered faster. Localised green infrastructure projects are key in the road to net zero , given the focus on…

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