Energy networks release joint innovation strategies

The Energy Networks Association (ENA) has published the first iterations of its joint innovation strategies for gas and electricity networks.

The documents provide a roadmap for future innovation projects, setting out how they will address the main challenges and opportunities that arise from the transformation of the energy system.

“Decarbonisation, digitisation and decentralisation are driving revolution in the energy sector, and our energy networks are on the front line of delivering the kind of world-leading innovation that is making that happen,” said ENA chief executive David Smith.

“The publication of the first joint network innovation strategies is a major milestone and we look forward to working with our innovation partners to ensure our network infrastructure, our wider energy system and our customers benefit from new technology, business models and unique opportunities.”

Gas Network Innovation Strategy

The Gas Network Innovation Strategy centres on the role that existing gas infrastructure can play in meeting demand for heat, power and transport in a low-carbon economy.

Huw Sullivan, chair of the ENA Gas Innovation and Governance Group said: “Since funding for network innovation was first introduced, Great Britain’s energy networks have developed a world leading reputation for innovation and these strategies build on the impressive track record of energy networks in delivering innovation projects.

“Projects have the potential to develop a truly world-leading whole systems approach that brings the way our gas and electricity networks work more closely together. This will be crucial as we find new ways to meet the UK’s carbon budgets, because if our power, heat, transport and waste sectors are all interdependent, then so must be the solutions to their decarbonisation.”

The strategy features seven key themes, each with a list of main focuses for innovation, which are as follows:

The future of gas

Focuses: The need for flexible networks; the role for gas in heat and transport; enabling the introduction of a wider range of gases; integrating gas and electricity networks; and decarbonisation.

Safety and emergency

Focuses: The impact of accidental damage to the network; managing ageing assets including the avoidance and prevention of damage; damage detection; safety competence; gas composition and safety management; and collaboration with electricity networks.

Reliability and maintenance

Focuses: The effects of an ageing network; the potential of new materials and corrosion protection; integration of gas and electricity networks for improved reliability and maintenance; the impact of smart systems and a digitalisation on network management and control; and operational improvement.

Repair

Focuses: The importance of asset data; integration with electricity networks; minimally invasive techniques; security of supply; and polymer repairs.

Distribution mains replacement

Focuses: Prioritising mains replacement; construction techniques; operational challenges; new materials; robotics and digitalisation; and alternatives to replacement.

Environment and low carbon

Focuses: The emissions challenge; decommissioning assets; energy efficiency in homes; sustainable reinstatement; the potential for biomethane; contaminated assets; and collaboration with electricity networks.

Security

Focuses: The evolution of security issues; the role of technology in protecting systems; challenges for security innovation; evolving cyber threats; the importance of incident management; site and asset security; and collaboration with electricity networks.

Electricity Network Innovation Strategy

The Electricity Network Innovation Strategy centres on the shift to a smarter, more flexible power grid and contains five key themes with corresponding challenges.

Phil Swift, chair of the ENA Electricity Networks and Futures Group said: “Network companies cannot deliver innovation alone. We want network infrastructure to act as a platform for new energy technologies and services that will put Great Britain at the forefront of the global low carbon transformation.

“Whether they are end-users, technology developers or service providers, network companies want to work with these innovators who have some of the best and the brightest ideas for how we can harness the potential of new energy technologies and opportunities.”

The five themes are:

Network improvements and system operability

Challenges: Strengthening network resilience; enhancing forecasting and network planning; boosting network visibility and controllability; improving asset management processes; maximising the value and capacity of existing assets; and optimising cross-sector coordination.

Transition to a low-carbon future

Challenges: Facilitating the electrification of heat and transport; enhancing flexibility; enabling the transition to a distribution system operator for local power grids; delivering benefits from smart meters and data; developing whole-system forecasting and planning processes.

New technologies and commercial evolution

Challenges: Maximising cyber security and data protection; securing benefits from new technologies; facilitating the adoption of new business models; extracting value from digitally-enabled services, new sources of data and artificial intelligence; shaping regulations and standards; informing the development of new markets; and enabling the sharing of services and business functions.

Customer and stakeholder focus

Challenges: Increasing customer involvement in innovation; enhancing the customer experience and affordability; supporting the fuel poor; understanding future skill and resource requirements and changing customer needs; enabling customer choice; extending collaboration with stakeholders and partners; maximising transparency and the accessibility of data; facilitating community energy; and encouraging behavioural changes to support energy conservation and sustainability.

Safety, health and environment

Challenges: Improving the safety and health of the public and workers; reducing the impact of networks on the environment; and lowering the visual and noise impacts of assets.