Energy networks

Gridserve partners with high street retailers as first ‘Electric Forecourt’ nears completion

Ofgem seem to be pushing energy networks’ buttons – but they could be braver

What can utilities learn from the insurance sector about productivity?

Insurance giant RSA knows what it’s like to feel the drag of legacy systems on its cost base and productivity potential. But a new approach to deploying work in its back office and optimising the capabilities of its employees has unlocked breakthroughs in efficiency and effectiveness.

Networks defer £39m of charges as part of Covid support

Ofgem has revealed that around £39 million of network charges had been deferred as of the end of August. Under the schemes announced earlier this year energy networks were to defer up to £350 million of charges as a last resort for struggling suppliers and shippers.

Why asset maps must become ‘living documents’

Flexibility across the spectrum

Matt Watson, project manager for Western Power Distribution’s Intraflex project, talks to Utility Week about their efforts to increase participation in local flexibility markets by buying services both further away and closer to real time.

Push for diversity constrained by a lack of data

RIIO2 cuts ‘will hit vulnerable customers’

Faversham House launches Utility Week Live Online, November 24-26 2020

Habitat Energy begins trading in balancing mechanism as virtual lead party

‘Skewed’ incentives will leave networks scared to take risks

Risk and reward must be balanced to retain a strong supply chain

Last month, Balfour Beatty announced it was quitting the gas and water sectors, as the contracts available were no longer attractive. Trevor Hoyle, former MD of utilities for M Group Services, gives a supplier perspective on the current viability of the utilities sector as well as exploring emerging models of co-operation.

Readying the networks for the electric vehicle revolution

The decarbonisation of the power sector has so far tackled the “low hanging fruit” but significant challenges remain, writes Randolph Brazier of the Energy Networks Association. As part of out Build Back Better series, he examines the obstacles to the rollout of rapid charging infrastructure, and how they can be overcome.

WWU says cuts to gas mains replacement work pose ‘unacceptable’ safety risk

Not as easy as it looks

In a price control, companies will always claim the regulator has made errors but the RIIO2 draft determinations do appear to contain an unprecedently high number of basic arithmetic mistakes, says Maxine Frerk.