Opinion

Taking a stakeholder-led approach on the case for TNUoS reform

Andrew Urquhart, head of whole system at SSEN Transmission, outlines the response to the company’s earlier paper exploring the case for reforms to transmission network charges to address concerns that their volatility, unpredictability and regional variation are deterring investment in new generation.

12/05/2021

Opinion

Giving customers breathing space

This month saw the Debt Respite Scheme, also known as “breathing space", come into force. The legislation is designed to give customers with problem debt temporary legal protections from creditor action. Jayne Gardner, head of debt recovery at Corclaim, examines how it is likely to affect the utilities sector.

11/05/2021

Opinion

The role of data sharing in water transformation

Industry leaders met at a Utility Week virtual roundtable in association with Microsoft to debate the benefits, barriers and solutions to data sharing.

04/05/2021

Opinion

The role of gas networks in cracking the home heat conundrum

As part of our Countdown to COP focus on decarbonisation of heat, ENA’s Matt Hindle gives his view on the role hydrogen will have to play. He also reviews some key projects aimed at bringing hydrogen into the home.

30/04/2021

Opinion

Tech Talk: Taming faults to support the transition to net zero

The arrival of greater distributed energy on the network is good news for the transition to net zero. But it brings with it new issues and challenges for network operators. S&C Electric explore how networks can mitigate a potential increase in fault current levels.

30/04/2021

Opinion

Flexible Connections: Blocker or Enabler?

Flexible Connections were once seen as a key enabler for the cost effective and timely addition of renewable generation to the grid. However, the product has not adapted to address concerns around market access, liabilities and long-term optionality. Smarter Grid Solutions co-founder Alan Gooding looks at what went wrong, and suggests some solutions.

29/04/2021

Opinion

Hydrogen: No silver bullet without government firepower

Gemserv’s Clare Jackson sets out why the UK risks losing out and forfeiting any first mover advantage if does not invest in hydrogen capabilities now.

29/04/2021

Opinion

Optimising address data to drive efficiency

As utilities move closer towards digitising their services, the need for high quality interconnected data is greatly increased. The supply, maintenance and billing are all centred on address data, so accuracy here is pivotal in linking the different datasets in the drive for efficiency and increased revenue.

28/04/2021

Opinion

Digital substations are a catalyst to achieving net zero

The energy transition is driving transmission and distribution network operators to adopt new methods that facilitate multidirectional power flows. As part of our Countdown to COP series, Prash Desai of Burns & McDonnell discusses the role digital substations will play in that process.

27/04/2021

Opinion

Collaborating with academia on innovative ways to accelerate to net zero

Eon chief executive Mike Lewis argues the importance of diverse local solutions and collaboration between academia and industry to achieving net zero emissions.

22/04/2021

Opinion

Alistair Phillips-Davies: Powering change

SSE’s chief executive writes for Utility Week about the company’s new campaign, We Power Change, which aims to shine a light on the SSE employees at the heart of building a better world of energy for tomorrow.

22/04/2021

Opinion

UK climate targets: A (net) zero sum game

The UK has announced that it is increasing the ambition of its climate targets – but delivery requires a clear, costed plan setting out how they will be met. Tim Lord, former director of clean growth at BEIS and now at the Tony Blair for Global Change, sets out the challenges facing the government now there are “no more targets”.

21/04/2021

Opinion

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