Annual Innovation Summary

The energy networks and underlying infrastructure are critical enablers in Great Britain’s (GB) decarbonisation journey to delivering a successful and rapid net zero future. In service of these decarbonisation goals, the networks invest millions of pounds each year into innovative projects to develop a greener, more reliable, efficient and accessible energy system of the future. This report reflects on the progress networks have made in FY23, with a specific focus on RIIO-2 funded innovation. https://smarter.energynetworks.org/annual-innovation-summary

Innovation Value Report

In April 2017, we published a first-of-its-kind innovation value mid-term report. Benefits realised to date include £6.9m, demonstrating a positive benefit ratio of approximately 4:1 against cost incurred across the 10 case studies featured in the report, with significant opportunity for future benefits.

Gas Network Innovation Strategy

The Gas Network Innovation Strategy sets out the challenges and the opportunities facing the gas transmission and distribution networks in continuing to provide benefits to our customers within the energy systems of the future.

Produced in consultation with our stakeholders, the Strategy sets out the role that our existing gas infrastructure can play in meeting demand for power, heat, and transport in a low carbon economy. It details our approach based on seven themes: the future of gas; safety and emergency; reliability and maintenance; repair; distribution mains replacement; environment and low carbon; and security.

Read our 'at a glance' summary of the Gas Network Innovation Strategy or download the full Gas Network Innovation Strategy below.

Data Sharing Policy for NIA and NIC Projects

Following revisions to the NIA and NIC Governance documents that were published by Ofgem on 30 June 2017, Ofgem has introduced a requirement for us to make available certain network and consumption data we gather in the course of a NIC- or NIA-funded project.

The purpose of this data sharing policy is to make clear how such network or consumption data can be requested by interested parties and the terms on which we will make such data available.

This policy applies to the network data and consumption data arising in the course of a NIC- or NIA-funded project which is not commercially confidential or sensitive.

In accordance with the dissemination requirements of the NIC/NIA governance framework, we already publish much of the data arising from our NIC/NIA projects. You may wish to check this before making an application under this policy, in case the data which you are seeking has already been published.

Network Innovation Competition Projects

Gas Innovation Funding Incentive (IFI) reports

As part of our regulatory requirements, we reported on progress for research and development projects to Ofgem. The following library of IFI Annual Reports provides detail on our full portfolio of IFI projects for the relevant period.