Significant funding has been awarded to the North West to tackle energy efficiency, decarbonisation and energy resilience challenges across the region.
Engineers at Electricity North West will use the funding to carry out early feasibility studies into three potential ground-breaking projects which will help accelerate the region to net zero.
The power network operator has been awarded more than £427,000 to explore in more detail Net Zero Terrace, REWIRE and RetroMeter, projects that could bring huge cost savings and carbon savings to residents and businesses. These projects are funded by energy network users and consumers through the Strategic Innovation Fund, a programme from energy regulator Ofgem, in partnership with Innovate UK.
Victoria Turnham, Electricity North West’s head of network innovation, said: “We’re really pleased Ofgem has recognised the potential of the three projects we put forward and awarded us significant funds to explore them in more detail.
“As a region, we’re seeing more customers start to adopt low carbon technologies such as heat pumps and electric vehicles and it’s our role to ensure the network is ready for people to do that.
“We’re one of the most digital electricity networks in the world and we’re constantly looking at ways to operate more smartly and efficiently.
“Each of the three projects could provide benefits to customers in the North West and I look forward to seeing the results.”
Net Zero Terrace will demonstrate how to decarbonise an entire terraced street using a smart local energy system that is integrated with the network but is also optimised and affordable to consumers and easily replicable across Great Britain. Electricity North West will deliver this project in conjunction with Buro Happold, RV Energy, Rossendale Borough Council and Northern Powergrid.
REWIRE (REsidential Whole system Integrated REsilience) will aim to improve the resilience of the network by installing technology in domestic properties which will help provide greater flexibility on the network. REWIRE will also help reduce customer bills due to the reduced costs associated with reinforcing the network. Electricity North West will deliver this project in conjunction with Frazer-Nash Consultancy and Imperial College London.
And RetroMeter will examine the energy and cost savings benefits of retrofit energy efficiency measures in a residential building, such as fitting loft insulation and draft proofing. The outcomes of the scheme aim to improve access to retrofit energy efficiency measures, leading to an increase in uptake. This will reduce energy consumption and energy bills. Electricity North West will deliver this project in conjunction with Energy Systems Catapult, Energypro Ltd, Carbon Co-Op and Manchester City Council.
The purpose of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund is to support network innovation that will contribute to achieving Net Zero rapidly and at lowest cost; deliver real net benefits to network companies, energy users and consumers; and help the UK to become a “Silicon Valley” of energy. It aims to work with other public funders of innovation so that activities appropriately funded by energy users and consumers are co-ordinated with activities funded by Government. The fund is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK.
The Discovery phase will conclude in May 2023, at which point Electricity North West can submit an application to continue to the Alpha phase, where it will provide a small-scale demonstration of the solution and should receive a decision from Ofgem in October.
Electricity North West’s previous innovation projects include CLASS and Smart Street which together could save customers more than a billion pounds from their energy bills if rolled out nationally.
For more information visit www.enwl.co.uk/go-net-zero/innovation/strategic-innovation-fund/
