September 17, 2024

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United States

• Ofgem scheme funds National Grid’s electricity transmission and distribution networks to develop three innovation projects.
• Projects include developing a long-term strategy to reduce dependency on SF6, using digital tools to support regional energy planning and maximising the capacity of the distribution network for low carbon technologies.
• The funding sees the projects progressing to the next stage of the regulator’s scheme to encourage innovation and help transform the UK’s energy systems in line with net zero.

Three National Grid-led projects developing electricity transmission and distribution network innovations will continue their work after securing £15.3 million from the next stage of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) programme.

National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) has been awarded £8,500,724 for a project that will help develop a net zero electricity network by creating a long-term strategy to remove electrical insulating gas SF6 from the network.

National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) has been awarded £6,856,750 for two projects supporting local decision-making on regional energy planning for net zero on a single digital platform and addressing the potential load imbalance across phases in the distribution network as more customers opt for low carbon technologies.

The projects have been funded through the programme’s Beta Phase, which allows for the testing of innovation at a scale that can support future commercialisation and integration into the UK energy networks, typically following earlier feasibility work delivered through the Discovery and Alpha phases.

These funding awards will support National Grid’s efforts to accelerate the transition to a net zero future, while delivering tangible benefits to energy networks, local authorities and consumers.

Both NGET and NGED will be collaborating with the electricity system operator (ESO) on a separate SIF-funded Powering Wales Renewably project to accelerate low carbon energy in Wales. NGED is also working with Wales and West Utilities (WWU) on the NextGen Electrolysis project, aiming to reduce the cost of producing hydrogen, by using wastewater rather than high-purity water for the electrolysis process.

These projects are funded through the Strategic Innovation Fund, an Ofgem programme managed in partnership with Innovate UK.

Sean Coleman, Strategic Innovation Fund Manager at National Grid Electricity Transmission, said:

“Innovation of new technologies and solutions is critical to meeting our decarbonisation goals and delivering the UK’s ambition for a net zero energy system.

“This funding represents a major opportunity for us to reduce and eventually eliminate our dependency on the greenhouse gas SF6, to deepen our understanding of SF6-free technologies and maintain the world-class reliability of our network.

"This is a key example of how National Grid and its partners in industry and academia are working together to solve some of the sector’s biggest challenges and drive forward the energy transition at pace.”

Paul Morris, Head of Future Capacity at National Grid Electricity Distribution, said:

“National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to driving innovation and collaboration to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future. The funding awards from the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund recognise the huge potential in both of these projects, and will enable us to further develop and deploy these cutting-edge solutions that contribute to achieving net zero and improving customer experience.”