Ofgem is proposing to use its RIIO framework to fund the connection of the new reactor at Hinkley Point C instead of its competition proxy model.
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Code administrator Elexon is proposing that nationwide electricity “flexibility platforms” are set up. The platforms would allow local distribution network operators (DNOs), suppliers and businesses to buy storage output or demand-side response (DSR) services.
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The electricity system operator (ESO) at National Grid has suggested replacing the current transmission charging zones for generators due to concerns that the tariffs are becoming increasingly unstable and unpredictable.
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A number of multi-million projects are going on in the sector. Utility Week takes a look at some of the ongoing work.
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As more details emerge on the causes of last Friday’s power cut, the former head of engineering at National Grid argues the blackout should prompt a complete rethink of its strategy for dealing with outages and the growing volatility of the electricity system.
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The government’s new targets around the decarbonisation of heat have been welcomed by industry figures, who said ministers should avoid taking a strategy of “wait and see”. Speaking to Utility week, they said the broad ambitions listed in its 10-point plan for a green industrial revolution must now backed up with the right policies, regulations and funding.
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National Grid Electricity System Operator has written to Ofgem to agree to its instruction to create a new plan and workgroup for implementing the Trans European Replacement Reserves Exchange in Great Britain. TERRE was originally due to go live by 15 January 2020 but the regulator has granted the ESO multiple derogations from the requirement, mostly recently until 1 January 2021 due to uncertainty over its ability to the access the Libra platform that underpins the new market.
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Utility Week speaks to UK Power Networks and Northern Powergrid about the impact on the network of the pledge to be installing 600,000 heat pumps a year by 2028.
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Former Ofgem chief executive Dermot Nolan has told Utility Week that Boris Johnson’s green plan has “shone the spotlight even more brightly on RIIO-ED2”. He pointed to the move to bring forward the ban on petrol and diesel car sales to 2030 as having major ramifications for DNO’s business plans for the next price control and said there will “inevitably be tensions” around the levels of investment required.
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SSE’s chief executive has told Utility Week the company is “moving forward” with a full or partial sale of its 33.3 per cent stake in gas distribution network SGN. Alistair Phillips-Davies was speaking on the back of the company’s half-year results.
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Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has begun using drones to monitor more than 64,000 kilometres of overhead powerlines in its license area in central southern England.
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National Grid Electricity System Operator is consulting on potential changes to the locational onshore security factor representing the level of redundancy designed into the transmission network. The value, which is set at 1.8 for the current price controls, is used as a multiplier in the calculation of locational transmission charges.
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Utility Week’s new report in association with FaultCurrent Ltd, explores the options available to DNO’s as they struggle to head off the risks associated with diminishing fault level headroom across their asset base due to growth in distributed generation.
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Ofgem has approved a modification to the Connection and Use of System Code that would remove the requirement to review the transmission charging zones for generators for each network price control, effectively maintaining the current 27 zones “in perpetuity”.
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National Grid has seen a drop in operating profits after taking a £117 million hit from the coronavirus pandemic. Utility Week speaks to chief financial officer Andy Agg about adapting to lockdowns, RIIO2 and the potential read-across from the CMA appeals in water.
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Electricity North West (ENW) has revealed plans to pay for seven new members of staff at Citizens Advice, including five ‘energy champions’, with a £500,000 fund. The two-year partnership will start immediately in response to the pandemic and marks the launch of the North West network operator’s ‘Be Winter Ready’ campaign.
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UK Power Networks has announced plans to procure 250MW of flexibility in its largest tender to date, worth £50 million. The distribution network operator is seeking flexibility in more than 130 locations, which for the first time will include extra high voltage sites.
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