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Lights, camera, action: Excavating Leicester Square

This month saw a milestone reached in UK Power Networks’ (UKPN) high-profile scheme to replace the three transformers at the substation buried beneath Leicester Square. James Wallin visited the site to find out more about the unique challenges presented by this very public project.

By James Wallin

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Latest articles

Electricity networks driving change
The Energy Networks Association profiles some of the key projects underway across the country to accelerate the switch to electric vehicles.
Opinion

Editor’s picks

Utilities risking reputations on poor supply chain practices
The clamour for net zero, increased energy demand and shortages related to Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic have left utility companies overstretched and potentially vulnerable to unethical behaviours infiltrating supply chains. Utility Week invited industry experts to have their say on tackling poor practice.
News
LV network monitoring: time for a rethink
Utility Week’s report explores the need for change to historical low voltage network monitoring approaches from DNOs and highlights advances in technology which can help them derive multi-layered value from new monitoring investments.
Downloads
Creating a smart meter network as a foundation for net zero
The challenge of scaling up the smart meter roll-out is shared across gas, water and electricity companies. As the panel debate and workshop at the Utility Week Live Summit discussed, smart meters prepare consumers for the changes to come on the net zero journey. But is there are also a case for using the energy sector's new dual band communications network for smart water meters too? Read on to hear more about delegates' views.
Analysis

Assets

Developing a success framework for digital twins
Utilities are increasingly looking to digital twins as a way of tackling many of the customer, net zero, regulatory and operational challenges they face. What lessons can be learnt from sectors that are already using this technology?
Opinion
Leaders fear data shortfalls will hinder net zero transitions
Over three quarters of senior utilities leaders have concerns that a lack of robust data about the sustainability of internal and supply chain operations will hamper delivery of net zero transition goals, according to new research conducted by Utility Week.
News
Saving costs and carbon with data-driven network asset management
Data-driven maintenance and asset management will improve both the customer experience and long-term sustainability. But collecting and managing data comes with costs that can be hard to swallow. Panelists at Utility Week Live Summit, and participants in the workshop session, looked at different use cases and the best way to build a business case.
Analysis

Customer service

Entries now open for Utility Week Awards
The Utility Week Awards are returning to London’s Grosvenor Hotel this December. See a full list of categories and find out how to enter here.
Market insight

Energy flexibility

The EPIC route to network planning at WPD
DNOs regularly publish Distribution Future Energy Scenarios, but these often overlook the developing complexity on the low voltage networks. As UW Innovate reports, WPD has now devised a new methodology, called EPIC, to capture data from local authorities and use it for more sensitive and localised analysis.
Analysis
Gas and electricity networks are getting smarter, slowly
Building a 'smart network' where data can accelerate decarbonisation and cut operating costs is an agenda-setting priority for every distribution and transmission company. Already, network companies have chalked up their first trials and even moved into 'Business As Usual' territory. But as a recent debate and workshop discussion at the Utility Week Live Summit showed, there is still a long way to go.
Analysis
Pushing the boundaries on smarter working
Graham Campbell, chair of Energy Network Association’s Data and Digitalisation Steering Group and head of whole system and commercial at SP Energy Networks, offers an overview of the Steering Group and its priorities for the year ahead.
Opinion

Field operations

Entries now open for Utility Week Awards
The Utility Week Awards are returning to London’s Grosvenor Hotel this December. See a full list of categories and find out how to enter here.
Market insight
Leaders fear data shortfalls will hinder net zero transitions
Over three quarters of senior utilities leaders have concerns that a lack of robust data about the sustainability of internal and supply chain operations will hamper delivery of net zero transition goals, according to new research conducted by Utility Week.
News
Boosting long-term efficiency in iron mains replacement
The gas sector is two-thirds of the way through a 30 year programme to replace 'at risk' iron gas mains, within 30m of buildings. But with each pipe presenting a unique set of risk characteristics and renewal costs and benefits, how can gas distributors plan their forward work programmes? Cadent has turned to software provider Probit, as Tim Watson explains.
Analysis

Green transport

Laying the groundwork for charge-as-you-drive EVs
A network of EV charging stations is taking shape, but what if this technology is joined by a rival methodology, wireless charge-as-you-drive? Researchers are already laying test strips in roadways, and Western Power Distribution is examining the implications for its networks. UW Innovate spoke to WPD innovation manager Yiango Mavrocostanti.
Interviews
UKPN opens connections portal for green technology installers
UK Power Networks (UKPN) has launched a new online portal that enables installers to get quicker and easier decisions on whether they can connect green technologies such as electric vehicle chargers, heat pumps, solar panels and batteries. The electricity distribution network said Smart Connect was developed in partnership with Octopus Electric Vehicles in response to feedback from customers, who said the old process was confusing and time-consuming.
News
Energy Systems Catapult adds smart EV charging to Living Lab
Energy Systems Catapult is adding smart electric vehicle (EV) charging capabilities to its Living Lab of real-world smart homes. Cloud-based smart charging software developed by ev.energy will be incorporated into its new digital integration platform allowing suppliers, aggregators and home technology providers to trial new products and services in the 200 connected homes that now make up the lab.
News

Heat

Enhanced flexibility could save up to £16.7bn per year by 2050
Greater flexibility could cut energy system costs by £16.7 billion per year by 2050, according to new research from the Carbon Trust and Imperial College London. The report said flexibility should be embedded into all sectors of the energy system – power, heat and transport – to reduce the impact and cost of their decarbonisation.
News
Concerns raised over ‘headlong rush’ to air-source heat pumps
An official for Cambridge City Council has raised concerns over a “headlong rush” towards air-source heat pumps, saying there are “lots of problems” with the technology, particularly within urban areas. Environmental quality and growth manager Jo Dicks made the comments during a discussion of retrofitting as part of Utility Week’s Future of Heat conference.
News

Smart water networks

Leaders fear data shortfalls will hinder net zero transitions
Over three quarters of senior utilities leaders have concerns that a lack of robust data about the sustainability of internal and supply chain operations will hamper delivery of net zero transition goals, according to new research conducted by Utility Week.
News
Saving costs and carbon with data-driven network asset management
Data-driven maintenance and asset management will improve both the customer experience and long-term sustainability. But collecting and managing data comes with costs that can be hard to swallow. Panelists at Utility Week Live Summit, and participants in the workshop session, looked at different use cases and the best way to build a business case.
Analysis
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