Strategic Innovation Fund Round 1: Whole System Integration & Zero Emission Transport

Whole System Integration: The energy system is made up of a complex range of activity across networks, markets, supply, and demand. A range of organisations play crucial roles in managing different parts of this system. Working across traditional boundaries can create opportunities for better integration of services to consumers, who typically experience the system as a whole. Innovative whole system solutions are required to optimise the system, reducing costs whilst enhancing the experience of consumers.

Among others, you will hear from projects taking novel approaches to integrate offshore wind, helping to make the gas network suitable for hydrogen and initiatives which explore alternative assets to support the energy system.

Zero Emission Transport: New trends in transport such as electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuelled heavy goods vehicles will have significant impact on the energy networks. Preparing the networks to enable large-scale deployment of these technologies while keeping costs to consumers affordable and equitable is critical.

You will hear from projects that are developing new technologies, infrastructure, and processes required to support and accelerate at-scale take up of zero emission transport options such as rail decarbonisation, hydrogen and electric vehicle flexibility.

These online events are introducing the first round of cutting-edge innovation projects that have secured funding as part of a new £450m fund to transform energy networks in the race to net zero.

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) aims to deliver greener ways to travel and to heat and power homes and businesses, by harnessing a new approach to energy network innovation. This will keep bills as low as possible, drive the UK towards its goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and help turn the UK into the ‘Silicon Valley’ of energy.

Through publishing challenges which are responsive to consumer needs, the SIF brings the people with the ideas and the energy networks together, and supports projects towards commercialisation.

The webinars focus on project overviews from the first four challenges.

Who should attend?

The events will enable lead companies and other partners in the SIF-funded projects to share their knowledge, ambitions and plans; and consider how they could help each other to give the projects the best chance of becoming commercial reality in future.

Others in the gas and electricity industry with an interest in network innovation are welcome.

If you are unable to attend one of these sessions but you are interested in SIF updates, please sign up to the newsletter here.

• 2nd March | Whole System Integration & Zero Emission Transport
• 7th March | Data and Digitalisation & Heat