Posts

As recent events in South America have proven, power cuts can cause widespread disruption, even if they only last a few hours. Network talked to operators in the UK to find out how they are building a more resilient grid and tackling the issue. For many people living in Britain, power cuts are nothing more…Read more

The Energy Institute’s incoming president Steve Holliday reflects on the Energy Barometer 2019 and calls for a renewed and visionary focus on flexibility. The great success story of the UK’s transition to low carbon so far is indisputably in the power sector. So much so that it is tempting to think ‘job done’ and time…Read more

SGN and Murphy have entered into a new 50:50 joint-venture in utility asset ownership. The gas network has acquired 50% ownership in Murphy Utility Assets (MUA), a recently established utility connections asset owner with expertise in the utility market. MUA will initially focus on the adoption of gas and electricity infrastructure assets across the UK,…Read more

Northern Gas Networks is using a robot called STAN to travel through underground pipes and carry out repairs. It is being used on an average of two jobs every week and can reduce disruption for customers by limiting the number and size of holes that need to be dug in the road. Once inserted into…Read more

Western Power Distribution (WPD) has awarded flexibility contracts totalling 21.5MW through its Flexible Power offering following the completion of its latest procurement round. Contracts were awarded to 12 participants across seven Constraint Management Zones (CMZs). Bids came from a variety of technologies including generators, energy storage and demand turn down. All the awarded zones have…Read more

Network operator UK Power Networks has unveiled plans for what it claims is the world’s most advanced electricity network control system. UKPN is investing £15 million in Active Network Management (ANM) – including a new intelligent software platform from Smarter Grid Solutions that will be integrated into the heart of its world class control system.…Read more

Ofgem has confirmed plans to almost slash in half the returns that energy networks can make. The energy regulator has this morning (24 May) ratified its price control methodology for the new RIIO2 framework, which covers the electricity and gas transmission networks together with gas distribution. If applying the agreed methodology today, Ofgem would set…Read more

Western Power Distribution (WPD) has started work on a £6 million scheme that serves Cadbury’s historic factory in Bournville, Birmingham. The project, which is expected to run until 2022, involves replacing four grid transformers, 132kV circuit breakers and other 132kV equipment, along with all the 11kV switchgear. The Bournville substation was one of the first…Read more

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has completed a £3.8 million programme of works to reinforce and improve the electricity network in the Western Isles. The project included establishing a second 33 kilovolt (kV) electricity circuit stretching almost 30 kilometres from Drimore to Pollachar to provide greater resilience, reducing the load on the existing line…Read more