Smart utilities

Man and machine, hand in hand: the impact of AI on the future of work

Utilities are rushing to unlock the potential of artificial intelligence to positively transform operations and services. This landmark report from technology leaders at Cognizant and the Center for the Future of Work highlights the strategies needed to ensure challenges at the interface between technology and humans do not undermine AI’s enormous potential.

H3O: Raising standards and putting customers first – victories for privatisation

Networks specialist joins UW for better asset data free webinar

The line-up for Utility Week's webinar is now complete, with the addition of an expert from the energy sector.

Government urged to introduce levy on smart meter rejections

Energy UK has proposed a series of measures to aid the smart meter rollout. The trade body has also warned that the 2024 deadline as it stands is not achievable.

Place your bets on blockchain

Ofgem removes barrier to elective half-hourly settlement

Western Power Distribution trials new flexibility platform

Regulating for net zero

How will a new government deal with the National Infrastructure Commission’s recently published review of regulation? In the latest of our Voices series, Maxine Frerk sets out the case for action.

Conservatives pledge 40GW from offshore wind by 2030

Boris Johnson has announced that the Conservatives will accelerate the roll out of offshore wind power and electric vehicles charging points if the party wins next month’s general election.

Turning homes into virtual power plants

Will Wizard work magic in AMP7?

“Bagging-off” technology for under-pressure applications was first developed in the UK gas sector by British

Uberizing the utilities sector in the fourth industrial revolution

Today’s consumers are accustomed to the customer experiences delivered by the likes of ­Deliveroo, Amazon Prime and Uber. They want real-time transparency, two-way ­communication and for services to revolve around their needs. Welcome to ­Customer Experience 4.0.

Britain lagging behind European neighbours on flexibility

Centrica says local energy market platform could be rapidly adopted nationwide

Northern Powergrid inspects 580 substations during Doncaster floods

The network operator has described its response to the flooding across its area and the extent of damage to its substations.

Severn Trent launches chatbot

Severn Trent has launched an extra channel for customers to communicate with the company. Its online service called Juno can answer simple queries and will learn as it does

Winning in an increasingly dynamic market

Innovation has impacted a range of sectors, and energy is no exception; currently the sector is facing one of its biggest challenges yet as customers wake up from widespread inertia, spurred on by the evolution of price-­comparison/auto-switching services and changing consumer expectations.

Water retail – time for a market reset

Two and a half years on from the opening of the non-domestic water retail market, significant hurdles to smooth operation remain, not least around meter reading. Last week senior figures from the industry met to discuss these challenges with the market operator, MOSL. Jane Gray gives her view on the key points from the debate.

Utility of the Future: Three forward steps for energy

Meeting high expectations