Innovate UK: Strategic innovation fund announces funding for 13 projects addressing fossil fuel phase out

The Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) announces funding for 13 projects critical to addressing fossil fuel phase out and tackling climate change.

All led by an energy network, in collaboration with project partners, the successful projects are a mix of:

• discovery feasibility studies
• alpha proof of concept
• beta real world demonstrator

Unlocking energy system flexibility

We talk about how heating is responsible for nearly a quarter of UK carbon emissions, however, space cooling demand is expected to increase with rising temperatures due to climate change.

Energy efficiency and the use of passive cooling strategies will be key for managing future energy consumption and emissions.

This will be looked at in the ‘Cooldown’ project.

Faster network development

We have four projects that are looking at novel methods to increase electrical capacity from existing assets or support faster and more efficient connection methods, including the use of digital innovations:

• Collaborate
• Dynamic, Data Driven Asset Rating (3DAR)
• Design for Live Line Technology Acceleration (DELLTA)
• Fast Track

Embedding resilience

As part of a whole system network transition to net zero, two projects are looking at cost-effective pathways to decarbonisation and alternate uses of gas infrastructure:

• Knapton H2 Storage for hydrogen to power (H2P)
• Gas Network Evolution Simulator (GNES)

Accelerating net zero energy networks

Electrical losses directly impact customer bills and can cause serious safety incidents.

In cycle three we have two projects developing solutions to reduce electrical losses, including those that are a result of theft:

• Foundation Source Model (FoSMo)
• Innovating Losses Analysis and Detection (I-LAD)

High-energy demand point integration

The electricity network is under growing pressure due to ageing infrastructure, rising electrification, and the integration of intermittent renewable energy sources.

We need to develop scalable approaches to ensure we have the capacity needed to integrate the rise of large demands.

This will be looked at in the ‘Non-Data Centres Large Demand Mapping’ project.

Consumer centric grid solutions

How can we use novel technology and processes to deliver grid expansion in ways that enhance public support and deliver wider local and environmental benefits?

Tools and relatable engagement on environmental and societal benefits is critical to building public trust.

This will be looked at in the ‘AI opportunities for consumer centric engagement’ project.

Green gas

The UK has significant potential to produce and use low-carbon gases such as biomethane and Bio-SNG (synthetic natural gas).

These gases provide a crucial opportunity to reduce emissions while enhancing energy security, particularly in hard-to-decarbonise sectors such as heat, industry, and transport.

This will be looked at in two projects:

• Green Gas Access
• RemO2val

See the ‘Further information’ section for more information on all the projects, including SIF funding award, lead networks and project partners.

See the published funding direction on the Ofgem website.

Listening to stakeholder feedback

Jodie Giles, Deputy Director, Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund at Innovate UK, said:

"Congratulations to all the successful cycle three projects, we are looking forward to supporting them as they develop. Included in these are the first discovery phase projects responding to round five challenges. For round five, we listened to feedback from all our stakeholders to set more specific, longer-term challenges, setting seven challenge areas which will run for two years. We are working closely with all our funded projects to ensure learning is shared and impact is realised. As we approach RIIO3, the next price control period, we are really looking forward to working even more closely with projects to achieve faster deployment and benefit realisation. Cycle four is now open, this will be the last opportunity for Beta ready projects to apply against round three challenges. As ever we are hoping for game changing, real world demonstrator applications that will help us to achieve our aim; to develop high quality, transformational projects that accelerate delivery of net zero, at lowest cost to the customers who use and pay for the energy networks."

Showcasing bold innovation

Marzia Zafar, Deputy Director for Energy Systems Management and Security at Ofgem, said: "These projects showcase the kind of bold innovation that will be essential to modernising Britain’s energy networks. By supporting these initiatives through the Strategic Innovation Fund, Ofgem is helping to unlock system flexibility, accelerate infrastructure delivery, and ensure consumers remain central to the energy transition. I look forward to seeing the impact these projects will have on building a more efficient, resilient, and future-ready energy system."

This article was first published on 24 September by Innovate UK.