New £450m fund to unlock cutting-edge innovation across gas and electricity networks

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A new fund opening today will unlock greener ways to travel and to heat and power homes and businesses, by harnessing a new approach to energy network innovation. This will keep bills as low as possible, drive the UK towards its goal of net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and help turn the UK into the ‘Silicon Valley’ of energy.

The fund, which opens for application on 31st August, is part of Ofgem’s RII02 price controls for the electricity system operator and the network companies that operate GB’s energy pipes and wires. The fund will be approved by Ofgem and managed in partnership with Innovate UK.

£450 million will initially become available over the next five years through the fund, with the option to increase in response to need and if innovators bring forward strong plans. Together, network companies, system operators, and the world’s leading businesses and researchers will use this money to drive big ideas that accelerate the transition to an emissions-free energy system and at the same time help to position the UK as a world leader in energy innovation. 

To apply for the first round of funding, network companies must address four major strategic challenges that are crucial for the energy transition. These are:

  • Whole system integration
  • Data and digitalisation
  • Heat
  • Transport

Projects could range from ensuring the networks are ready to roll out clean heating solutions such as heat pumps to Britain’s homes to developing ways for network companies to work together across transmission, distribution, system operation, gas and electricity. Projects could also include developing new technologies for networks to support flexible energy solutions, such as battery storage technology, to ensure electricity is used and stored more effectively, thereby bringing down bills and emissions. Ideas need to be big, bold and ambitious with potential to scale across the networks upon completion.

Energy Minister, Lord Callanan at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial strategy, said:    

“The UK is leading the world in decarbonising our energy system, with our innovators playing a vital role in going further while ensuring consumers receive clean and affordable energy.  

“The Strategic Innovation Fund will ensure the best projects and most talented minds have the grants available to reduce carbon emissions and enable bill payers to see the benefits of building back greener.” 

Jonathan Brearley, chief executive of Ofgem, said: “What we need more than ever to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and reach net zero is innovation. The Strategic Innovation Fund means cutting-edge ideas and new technologies become a reality, helping us find greener ways to travel, and to heat and power Britain at low cost. Britain’s energy infrastructure will play a pivotal role in cutting net zero greenhouse gas emissions, and this fund will help make sure our energy system is ready to deliver that.”

Indro Mukerjee, chief executive of Innovate UK, said: ”The ideas of the UK’s world-leading innovative businesses and researchers have the potential to reshape the gas and electricity networks for net zero, while generating commercial growth. We are delighted to be working with Ofgem to make sure the Strategic Innovation Fund brings maximum impact over the coming years.”

UK Net Zero Business Champion Andrew Griffith said: “UK businesses have proved time and time again that our country is home to world-leading entrepreneurial talent, innovators and disruptors. 

“As we approach the COP26 Climate Change summit in Glasgow the Strategic Innovation Fund is an example of how business can provide the solutions that will make our energy cleaner and tackle climate change.” 

See the Ofgem website for more information on the Strategic Innovation Fund challenge competition.

 

Note to editors

Ofgem is Britain’s independent energy regulator. Our role is to protect consumers now and in the future by working to deliver a greener, fairer energy system. We do this by:

  • Working with Government, industry and consumer groups to deliver a net zero economy at the lowest cost to consumers.
  • Stamping out sharp and bad practice, ensuring fair treatment for all consumers, especially the vulnerable.
  • Enabling competition and innovation, which drives down prices and results in new products and services for consumers.

Innovate UK is the UK’s innovation agency.  It drives productivity and economic growth by supporting businesses to develop and realise the potential of new ideas, including those from the UK’s world-class research base.

The purpose of the Strategic Innovation Fund is to support network innovation that contributes to the achievement of Net Zero, while delivering real net benefits to network companies and consumers; and to work with other public funders of innovation so that activities appropriately funded by network consumers are coordinated with activities funded by Government.

The new partnership brings together the complementary roles of Ofgem and Innovate UK. Ofgem regulates network and system operators to enable net zero at lowest cost to consumers. Innovate UK focuses on business growth and will seek to utilise its expertise in engaging with innovators on funding programmes across multiple sectors such as offshore wind, energy storage, defence, transport, aerospace, healthcare and space.

Ofgem has determined that the value of the Strategic Innovation Fund will be £450m over the next network price control period (‘RIIO-2’), however the level of funding available can be increased upwards if there is a need for greater funding. It will issue regular challenge competitions focused on areas of strategic importance to the future of the gas and electricity networks.

Under the Strategic Innovation Fund, gas and electricity network and system operators, will be able to form consortia with businesses and academics to propose innovative solutions to the challenges facing the networks. They can then apply for funding through the competitive process.

The Strategic Innovation Fund is drawn from the bills that energy consumers pay, and so all projects funded will be required to bring a net benefit to consumers.

Projects will be funded progressively in three ‘agile’ stages – discovery, alpha and beta – to ensure focus on the right areas and minimise risk. This will help the projects to develop rapidly, react to change and maximise their potential to transform the gas and electricity networks while growing large-scale successful businesses and contributing to UK economic growth. The competition opening in August 2021 is the discovery phase of the first round of the SIF.

Projects must be led by Gas Transmission, Gas Distribution, or Electricity Transmission Network Operators, or the Electricity System Operator, working in collaboration with other networks, businesses and academics. Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) can partner with these organisations prior to being allowed to lead SIF projects themselves from 2023 when RIIO-ED2 (the five-year price control period for the DNOs) – starts.

An online briefing event to launch the first funding competition under the SIF will be held on 7 September 2021 from 10:30 to 12:00; for more information see the event web page at https://eur.cvent.me/xvqBR 

About Ofgem

Ofgem is the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets. Our role is to protect consumers now and in the future by working to deliver a greener, fairer energy system.

About UKRI

UKRI creates knowledge with impact by investing over £8bn a year in research and innovation through the UK’s nine leading funding councils.

For media, contact 

Ruth Somerville: 020 7901 7460 / 07990 139504 ruth.somerville@ofgem.gov.uk

Media out of hours mobile: 0792 882 9894 (media calls only)