Smart utilities

Giving local people a say

Utilities can play a key role in unlocking local value. But to maximise impact, the focus needs to shift beyond regional growth to regional wellbeing, says Sharon Darcy of Sustainability First.

Severn Trent aims to create ‘super fertiliser’ from sludge

Severn Trent is trialling a sludge processing method that uses carbon capture technology and converts waste to energy as well as agri-fertiliser. Chief engineer Bob Stear said the technology has the potential to be a game-changer for wastewater treatment

BEIS awards £28m to accelerate low-carbon hydrogen production

Severn Trent hunts leaks with fibre optics

A confident course to decarbonisation

Ofgem’s Decarbonisation Action Plan recognises that net zero requires a more holistic regulatory approach – and that it is crucial the costs and benefits of these initiatives fall fairly between different groups of consumers. Sustainability First's Sharon Darcy gives her view.

ESO on creating a zero-carbon power grid

Paying for Net Zero debate – who should foot the bill?

Londoners must stop seeing water as ‘infinitely available resource’

Ofgem reaches decision on funding model for novel flexibility service

UK Power Networks granted access to smart meter data

Moixa launches AI-powered EV partnership

Smart technology company Moixa will conduct an electric vehicle (EV) charging trial to help drivers deliver flexibility to the UK’s energy system and reduce emissions. Moixa's technology will be integrated with Dutch firm Alfen's EV chargers, creating tailored charging plans for consumers.

Weekend press round-up: Sambhi tipped as frontrunner for next Centrica CEO

British Gas owner Centrica is expected to report a dip in profits after being hit by the price cap when it posts its preliminary results on Thursday. Meanwhile there are reports that Sarwjit Sambhi, head of its consumer business, is the front-runner in the contest to take over from Iain Conn as chief executive.

The battle for customer engagement

Scale of EV push will be on par with the Olympics, says minister

An Olympic-style drive across government will be required to eradicate emissions from the transport sector, the minister handpicked to oversee these efforts has admitted. In a Commons debate on decarbonising transport, it was also suggested that a mass test-drive campaign across the country may be needed to encourage ordinary motorists to try out electric vehicles.

An honourable mention: James Yu interview

SP Energy Networks' Future Networks Manager, Professor James Yu, received an MBE in the New Year's Honours List. We caught up with him to discuss challenges, past, present and future.

Regional Growth and Utilities: Speaking with a Northern accent

Why the DSO transition must accelerate

Brearley steals a march on doubters

Utility Week magazine editor Suzanne Heneghan looks at what's in the in-tray for Ofgem's new chief executive and how his decarbonisation plan may be a signal of intent.

Flexible energy firms laud Ofgem’s net zero action plan

Target to end coal power brought forward

The government has pledged to eliminate coal power generation from the grid by 2024 – a year earlier than previously planned. Boris Johnson has also confirmed plans to bring forward the ban on petrol and diesel cars – including hybrids – by five years, to 2035. David Blackman looks at the figures behind the plans and gauges industry reaction.