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Energy networks

Editor's picks

Pounds for pylons offer has 59% chance of halting delays
The government has insisted its proposed £1.5 billion package of payments to communities hosting grid projects will have only a negligible impact on wider bills, while also admitting it offers only a slightly better than even chance of thwarting delays.
News
Government and Ofgem raise concerns over grid reforms
The annual application windows proposed by the Electricity System Operator as part of long-term reforms to the connections process may not work for some types of projects, the government and energy regulator have cautioned. The comments were included in the six-point Connections Action Plan issued by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) and Ofgem.
News
‘Triage’ process to prioritise strategic connections
The government will manage a “triage” process for prioritising the connection of strategically important energy projects as part of its joint action plan with Ofgem for speeding up grid connections. Working with the regulator, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) will establish a Connections Delivery Board to oversee the implementation of the six-point plan, which aims to cut the average wait for a connection from 5 years to 6 months.  
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Latest in Energy networks

Restarting from the bottom
At the beginning of 2019, National Grid ESO, SP Energy Networks and TNEI launched a ‘world-first’ initiative to explore whether distributed generators, including renewables and storage, could be used to restart the power grid in the event of a nationwide blackout. With the project coming to an end last month, Utility Week speaks to some of those involved about what was achieved and what’s next.
Analysis
Underground asset map extended nationwide
The National Underground Asset Register has been extended to cover all of England and Wales as a digital record of pipes, cables and buried assets. It is intended to save time and money for street works projects as well as reducing the risk of harm to workers from cable strikes.
News
Stark: Sunak sending ‘mixed messages’ on EVs
Rishi Sunak has sent out “mixed messages” by relaxing the phase out of petrol and diesel cars and vans until 2035, while maintaining targets for motor manufacturers to make electric vehicles, Chris Stark has warned. The Climate Change Committee chief executive said the relaxation of the previous 2030 EV target was one of the two aspects of the prime minister’s September net zero announcement he was “most worried” about.
News
‘Thorough review’ of regulators’ duties planned
The government has revealed plans to hold a “thorough review” of economic regulators’ duties, including those of Ofgem and Ofwat, to ensure they remain fit for purpose. The Department for Business and Trade said the expansion of their duties over time has made it harder for regulators to manage priorities and trade-offs as tensions arise.
News
Piclo unveils new flexibility platform
Flexibility services provider Piclo has unveiled a new platform which it says will be a “one stop shop for all electricity markets globally”. Piclo Max will be rolled out in the UK from next year and is designed to simplify and improve electricity market access for flexibility service providers.
News
Hunt unveils generation levy exemption and grid planning overhaul
Jeremy Hunt has announced that new electricity generation will be exempted from the government’s windfall levy on the sector, while unveiling a wide-ranging package of energy infrastructure planning changes in his Autumn Statement. The statement, widely reckoned to be the last before the next general election, contains a series of announcements on reforming the planning system and speeding up electricity grid connection timetables.
News
Experts split on size of long duration storage target
Experts on long duration energy storage (LDES) are split on the necessary target needed to deliver the UK's decarbonisation goal. While some experts have urged the government to set a long-term target of up to 100TWh, others have suggested that a smaller “no regrets” target should be set to “get the ball rolling” on LDES. However, government officials have refused to be pushed on the possible size of a target.
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Demand reduction measured in last winter’s DFS is ‘too optimistic’
The Electricity System Operator’s methodology for determining demand reductions from customers participating in last winter’s Demand Flexibility Service was “too optimistic”. According to analysis of the results of Octopus Energy’s Saving Sessions by its research facility, Centre for Net Zero, demand reductions from the supplier’s customers were “overestimated” by 13%.
News
National Grid hits milestone on £130m network upgrade
National Grid is nearing the end of its current phase of work on the £130 million network upgrade between Lincoln and Stevenage. This year engineers have installed 1,479km of overhead line between Stamford and Stevenage. It is the second phase of the project, with the first phase completing last year.
News
DNOs launch ‘capacity visibility’ portals
National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED) and UK Power Networks (UKPN) have both launched separate portals to help connections customers plan their projects. The open data portals will provide developers with up-to-date information to see exactly how much spare capacity is available at each grid supply point. Developers will also be able to view how many projects are ahead of them in the queue, what they are and whether there are fast-track flexible connections available.
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