Companies are being invited to submit proposals to help energy network firms build a smarter grid.
Energy networks are allowed to experiment with smarter approaches to managing the UK’s power and gas grids under Ofgem’s Network Innovation Competition. They submit plans to the regulator which detail how they can deliver innovation in managing the network to provide benefits to consumers and make the energy system work more intelligently in a shifting environment.
Ofgem decides which projects are given funding.
The networks are asking for input from other parties before submitting their bids via a call for ideas led by the Energy Networks Association (ENA). Successful companies will then work with networks to deliver those projects.
The ENA said proposals have to demonstrate clear cost and environmental benefits and genuine innovation. They must also fit with network priorities or cross-sector areas such as ‘whole system planning’, which means provide benefits to energy and transport sectors, for example.
Up to £70m is available for electricity-based projects, up to £20m for gas.
The call runs until 26 October at 5pm. Applications can be made on Energy Networks Association’s Network Innovation Collaboration Portal.
