Heat networks

For new Ofgem chief the heat is on

The speculation is finally over. Ofgem has named Jonathan Brearley as the man set to take on arguably the toughest job in regulation right now. And the heat is already on. In fact, as hot seats go, this one is fairly off the scale, says Suzanne Heneghan.

Debating the New Deal for Utilities

Developer says end is in sight for CHP in housing schemes

A leading housebuilder has said the greening of the electricity grid means scheme specific decentralised renewable energy projects face redundancy.

Expert view: A whole system approach will improve energy system resilience

Mark Livingstone, Director, Navigant To deal with these mounting pressures, it will be important to

Policy needs to steer the UK towards net zero

Planning consents, decarbonised heat and subsidies for EVs and wind power all need to be rethought if the government is serious about achieving net zero emissions by 2050

Is RIIO2 going according to plan?

Fernando Dominguez says network companies should expect the unexpected when preparing their RIIO2 business plans with net zero in mind.

Keep calm and connect with customers

Watching the ongoing political car crash that is Westminster, it’s hard to keep track of the constitutional permutations, let alone what all this might mean for utilities, says Suzanne Heneghan

District heating can make an immediate contribution

An urgent solution is needed to finding a low-carbon heat source for the 85 per cent of UK households still relying on fossil fuel-based natural gas. While hydrogen boilers and electric heat pumps are among the potential solutions, ken Hunnisett argues that district heating schemes are a proven technology ready to be deployed.

‘In-house disruptors’ needed to decarbonise heating

A Heat-as-a-Service (HaaS) model could be a key driver in the decarbonisation push but a lack of appetite from consumers for longer contracts may slow progress, an analyst has suggested. Research from Delta-EE showed consumers were reluctant to commit to a deal longer than two to three years and that a disruptor was needed in this area.

How utilities providers can reach and engage with vulnerable customers

XR activist: Rebellions are fundamentally unreasonable

Extinction Rebellion has attracted criticism for its "unrealistic" target of hitting net-zero emissions by 2025. However, as one of its members tells Greg Jones, the group's role is to ensure against complacency and push for any acceleration of the timeline. He also stresses that citizen's assemblies will move matters faster than politicians ever will.

‘National conversation’ needed over cost of resilience

The public may have to consider paying for more back up power in order to prevent a repeat of the 9 August blackout, energy experts have warned following the publication of the National Grid Electricity System Operator (ESO) report into the incident.

Utility Week project roundup w/c 5 August

Utility Week takes a look at some of the projects that have commenced across the sector in the past week.

Ground-breaking heat network officially opens in Scotland

Evolving cyber-protection to meet NIS Directive requirements in the utilities sector

Cyber-attacks, such as the disruption of Ukraine’s power grid in 2015 and an attack on