UK Power Networks is starting a 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 are set to play a 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.
Those covered have been identified as key strategic areas, allowing the UK to decarbonise at the lowest-cost to the customer.
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.
“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 fund is expected to invest £450m 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 the “Connectrolyser” project, which aims to scale hydrogen electrolyser hub development by developing a new electricity connection agreement and flexibility product to speed up new connections.
Another project, 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.