The latest funding round by Ofgem and Innovate UK has distributed £9.7 million to several innovative energy projects, spearheaded by National Grid and SSEN.
- These projects are aimed at accelerating the transition towards a decarbonised energy system and enhancing environmental sustainability.
- National Grid has secured substantial funds for initiatives focusing on rural decarbonisation, cable health monitoring, and offshore energy viability.
- SSEN’s projects, SeaChange and Nature4Networks, are championing port decarbonisation and nature-based network resilience strategies respectively.
- Several other regional initiatives have also been funded, targeting advancements in energy storage, multi-vector hubs, and climate adaptation.
In a decisive step towards environmental sustainability, Ofgem and Innovate UK have allocated £9.7 million from their Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to several ground-breaking energy projects. Spearheading this initiative, National Grid and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) are among the primary beneficiaries, entrusted with projects aimed at transforming the UK’s energy landscape.
The SIF operates through a structured three-stage process encompassing discovery, alpha, and beta phases. These stages allow projects to compete for heightened funding, with progression contingent upon meeting rigorous criteria. However, flexibility is afforded to those projects already aligning with prior funding rounds or meeting specific innovative benchmarks, as noted by UK Research and Innovation.
National Grid announced the acquisition of £1.7 million to propel four innovative projects designed to expedite the evolution towards a decarbonised energy network. These projects, including the Rural Energy and Community Heat (Reach) and Road to Power, aim to integrate low-carbon technologies into rural and construction sectors, representing a significant stride towards enhanced electrical grid connections and increased utilisation of electric equipment.
Further innovation is prompted by National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) through a £840,000 funding award targeting offshore energy islands and superconducting technologies. These cutting-edge initiatives are intended to develop blueprints that could potentially revolutionise the Great Britain energy system, underlining the critical role of technological innovation in achieving decarbonisation.
Simultaneously, SSEN has been allocated close to £1 million for the advancement of its SeaChange and Nature4Networks projects. SeaChange is focused on the creation of a ‘Navigating Energy Transitions’ tool that assists ports with decarbonisation pathways, while Nature4Networks explores sustainable solutions to enhance network resilience in the face of climate change challenges.
Other notable beneficiaries include Northern Power Grid, which is developing a multi-vector energy hub to optimise system-wide efficiencies, and UK Power Networks, which is working on projects such as Wayl-Ease and Electric Thames, highlighting the diverse approaches being explored across the UK. Additionally, initiatives like Southern Gas Networks’ exploration of hydrogen storage demonstrate the broad applicability of these funds in addressing both electrical and gas network challenges.
These projects represent a collective effort to not only enhance the UK’s energy infrastructure but also to support the adoption of renewable technologies crucial for a sustainable future. Ofgem’s financial backing underscores a commitment to innovation that promises to deliver wide-ranging benefits, including cost reductions and improved environmental outcomes.
This strategic investment in energy innovation projects is pivotal in driving the UK’s progress towards a sustainable and decarbonised future.
