Strathclyde is a partner in three energy network innovation projects which will help to accelerate the UK’s transition to net zero at the lowest cost to consumers.
The three projects involving Strathclyde are among 40 which have received up to £150,000 each to carry out a two-month ‘discovery’ phase on their potential.
The funding is being provided by energy network users and consumers through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), a programme from the UK’s independent energy regulator Ofgem, managed in partnership with Innovate UK.
The projects address some of the biggest challenges that energy networks face in the journey to net zero and focus on heat, zero emission transport, data and digitalisation, and whole system integration.
The projects involving Strathclyde and researchers from the Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering and its Institute for Energy and Environment, are:
- INCENTIVE – Innovative Control and Energy Storage for Ancillary Services in Offshore Wind, led by Scottish Hydro Electric Transmission Plc (£121,000), which will explore the opportunity to stabilise the grid through voltage, current and frequency control technologies for offshore wind. Partners include The Carbon Trust and National Grid Electricity System Operator Ltd.
- SCADENT – SuperConductor Applications for Dense Energy Transmission, led by National Grid Electricity Transmission Plc (£148,437), which will aim to understand the impact and benefits of using High Temperature Superconductor cables. Other partners include: University of Manchester, Ørsted, Western Power Distribution, SP Transmission, UK Power Networks, Nexans France, AMSC, and Frazer-Nash Consultancy.
- EN-twin-e – led by SP Transmission (£17,563), which seeks to develop a digital twin of the electricity distribution system to aid decision making when managing and balancing assets. Other partners include: Digital Catapult, National Grid Electricity System Operator and SP Distribution.
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