Recent Additions to the EDC
Browse details of new data, projects and publications added to the EDC
12/06/2025
18 new projects added
GRN: UKRI-374
Period: 03/01/2025 to 02/07/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
The EPSRC Capital Award for Core Equipment 2024/25 provides essential support for the University of Cambridge’s ambition to establish and maintain world-class laboratories that empower our researchers to conduct cutting-edge research. The University selected the equipment to include in the application via a fair and transparent internal competitive application process, which is described in Q3 Vision and Approach. Five items of equipment were selected meeting the objectives of the award and the strategic priorities of the university. The investment opportunities outlined in this proposal are in addition to planned investments in capital equipment at the institutional level; however, they align with institutional strategic initiatives, such as the West Cambridge Sharing Project (described in Q3 Vision and Approach), and strategic research priorities, such as energy and engineering biology. The equipment selected for inclusion in this award comprises: 1. a Luminex 200 multiplexed cytokine analyser; 2. an ion beam milling tool; 3. a Bruker Avance NEO 300 MHz NMR Spectrometer; 4. a Tuttnauer 85L Front loading 3Ph Autoclave; 5. a GPU server for computational research, with accompanying solid-state drives for research data storage. This selection of equipment meets all three EPSRC call objectives: 1. benefiting multiple users, enhancing sharing, usage, and collaboration; 2. invest to save; 3. supporting early career researchers and doctoral training. The equipment will have a range of benefits. Beneficiaries will include researchers from the Departments of Materials Science and Metallurgy (MSM), Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology (CEB) and Computer Science and Technology (CST) predominantly within the university, and also the wider community, through collaborative activities. Selected items either add otherwise hitherto missing capabilities or renew/refresh existing capabilities, some of which are at end of life. The equipment will be widely accessible, benefitting researchers from a variety of disciplines and all career stages. Application areas include engineering biology research, identified as strategically important for the UK, alongside many areas essential to the energy transition: energy storage, renewable energy, batteries, carbon capture, and catalysis. The equipment will be integrated into well-established facilities and laboratories with expert support to enhance its lifespan and ensure long term sustainability. The university is committed to supporting the career development of research technical professionals and to improving the environmental sustainability of our infrastructure, and the equipment will therefore fall within this highly supportive research environment
GRN: UKRI-1249
Period: 16/04/2025 to 15/04/2030
Funding Source: EPSRC
Our vision is to research and develop a new generation of two-dimensional (2D) semiconductors and ultra-low-energy semiconductor devices. Our research proposal addresses one of the most urgent, important and costly problems facing the UK: the huge energy required to power the data centres needed to train and run AI-enabled computing. John Pettigrew, CEO National Grid, warned at the Oxford Aurora Forum (March 2024): “The electricity demand from UK data centres is predicted to rise sixfold over the next 10 years.” The main reason data centres consume so much energy is that they contain millions of silicon devices such as transistors which are energy inefficient (our laptops get hot because of the energy-hungry silicon devices they contain). If we are to reduce the energy consumption of data centres, we must replace silicon devices with low-energy-consumption devices made from new materials. The front-runner materials for this are the atomically thin new class of materials called 2D materials. The first 2D material was graphene, a single layer of carbon atoms, the thinnest material in the world. Graphene is the best electrical conductor in the world. This is because the conduction electrons move along the surfaces of graphene, whereas in silicon they move through the bulk. Think of skating on ice: you can skate on the surface much faster than trying to travel through the ice. This results in high-speed graphene devices. IBM, Intel, and Samsung invested over $5 billion to manufacture graphene electronics; however, although graphene devices could be assembled by hand using the tiny graphene flakes then available, graphene could not be scaled up for high-volume manufacturing. This major technological drawback was removed when the Programme Lead's group, then at Cambridge University, invented a new way to scale up and made device-quality, large-area graphene. They then made a graphene sensor to measure magnetic fields and electric currents. A company, Paragraf, was set-up to manufacture graphene devices. Importantly, the power consumption of Paragraf’s sensors is 1000 times less than that of silicon sensors. This raises our expectations that other devices made from 2D materials will also have a very low power consumption, because the conduction electrons move along their surfaces. Our proposed next-generation, ultra-low-energy semiconductor devices aim to reduce the electricity consumption of data centres by 100 times. The power demand of UK data centres would then drop to a much more manageable value, which would save many £billions in electricity costs. Our research team from the universities of QMUL, Glasgow and Nottingham, supported by 23 partner industries contributing over £2 million to the project, will build upon our world lead in wafer-scale graphene electronic devices to produce more complex prototype devices using other 2D semiconductors (e.g., hBN, gallium selenide) at wafer-scale and integrate them, layer by layer with graphene. We will translate our unique scientific knowledge and expertise of 2D graphene electronic devices into new prototype semiconductor devices, ranging from simple diodes to nanometre-scale novel transistors, such as Dirac-source transistors suitable for integrated circuits for use in data centres. Our research will be revolutionary and give the UK a world lead in low-energy, high-speed electronics beyond silicon, enabling the UK to build a new electronics industry in 2D semiconductor devices.
GRN: UKRI-873
Period: 14/04/2025 to 13/04/2027
Funding Source: EPSRC
Water is indispensable for life, health, and human activities. As such, sustaining water resources and addressing their scarcity is an urgent global challenge. Latin American countries on the DAC list, like Brazil, are under enormous pressure to manage water resources sustainably. Over 100 million Brazilians lack access to safe sanitation, and more than 200 million rely mostly on hydropower for electricity (OECD, 2022), highlighting the urgent need for innovative solutions. Addressing these issues requires leveraging financial instruments that can drive sustainable environmental projects effectively. With a specific focus on Brazil, our proposed research aims to integrate an environmental risk approach into analysing the impacts of green bond investments, specifically on water resources. Green bonds are financial instruments designed to fund sustainable environmental projects, such as infrastructure, to address water-related challenges. However, their actual environmental effectiveness and transparency remain underexplored (Ehlers et al., 2020, Jia, 2023, Fatica and Panzica, 2021). Collaboration is at the heart of our approach. The UK is the global leader in water bonds, while Brazil leads in Latin America. By bringing together UK and Brazilian researchers, we aim to foster the exchange of world-class knowledge and innovative ideas and develop networks with local stakeholders; crucial in driving forward our research and ensuring its practical relevance. This partnership will enhance our collective ability to tackle the environmental challenges associated with sustainable finance. Our objectives are clear: to foster new collaborations, establish fresh partnerships and networks, and develop innovative research projects scalable for further funding applications. These goals will be achieved through a structured approach involving stakeholders via interviews, a workshop, dissemination of findings, and development of further research proposals. Ultimately, by addressing the complexities of environmental risk in green finance, our research will contribute significantly to global sustainable development and environmental stewardship. The timing of this research is pertinent due to the global push towards sustainable water infrastructure and the urgency to limit the rise in global temperature. Our project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals SDG6 (clean water and sanitation), SDG8 (decent work and economic growth) and SDG17 (partnerships for the goals). Moreover, the upcoming COP 30 in Brazil in 2025 places the Amazon at the centre of global sustainability and climate change discussions. COP 30 presents a crucial opportunity for the Amazon region to address innovative financial instruments like green bonds, offering a unique platform for our research to contribute to global solutions for water scarcity and climate resilience. Our project brings together researchers from the UK and Brazil, blending expertise in sustainability and finance to tackle complex sustainable finance challenges. Dr Beltran leads the UK team, specialising in sustainability transitions, with Dr Park contributing green finance knowledge and Dr Robins focusing on stakeholder engagement. In Brazil, Dr. Lima dos Santos brings expertise in sustainability and integrated reporting, supported by Dr. Dias in environmental accounting. Professors Tjahjono, Pereira, and Dr. Torres provide insights into sustainable operations, financial risk management, and environmental governance. Team members also participate in the RELES network (Latin American Sustainability Studies) (https://reles.dcya.cl). In conclusion, this project is not only timely but also essential. It will advance our understanding of green finance's impact on critical resources like water, promote innovative solutions to environmental challenges, and support broader goals of climate resilience and sustainable development in Brazil and will have implications far beyond its borders
GRN: UKRI-261
Period: 01/04/2025 to 30/09/2025
Funding Source: EPSRC
NMR spectroscopy is a key tool for understanding the atomic-scale structure of solids which is a vital step in the design of functional materials. This proposal will deliver a world-class facility supporting research and training at the cutting edge of solid-state NMR spectroscopy, expanding capacity and enhancing capability. The research enabled will underpin a range of EPSRC objectives and themes, supporting researchers developing new batteries, the hydrogen economy, industrially important catalysts, and porous materials for separations, gas storage, drug delivery and carbon capture. This will contribute to the EPSRC Advanced Materials and Circular Economy thematic areas, with particularly strong input into the physical sciences, energy, engineering and healthcare technology themes, mapping onto several EPSRC and institutional strategic priorities. Currently, the facility (the only laboratory dedicated to solid-state NMR in Scotland) supports over 100 users involved in multidisciplinary transformational research across the institution (e.g., Chemistry, Physics, Earth Sciences, Geography), the EaStCHEM pooling initiative and the wider region. However, the current spectrometer consoles are aging, inefficient and are end-of-life, with repairs no longer supported by the manufacturer. The increasing number of breakdowns significantly affects the capacity and efficiency of this already oversubscribed facility. The current instrumentation is also limited in that it cannot perform many of the more complex experiments demanded by modern science. Replacing the consoles with modern instrumentation capable of interleaved acquisition and the acquisition of new multiple-resonance probeheads will not only provide increased efficiency and enhanced capacity (alleviating the significant overdemand), but will widen the range of experiments that can be performed and the complexity of the materials that can be studied. The facility employs a hybrid usage model. This combines in-person access for specialist, trained users, collaborative projects (with key academic researchers and industrial partners from the UK and across the world), and an NMR service for less experienced users. This ensures access to this vital technique for a wide and diverse user base, irrespective of background and expertise. The facility is supported by a dedicated Facility Manager, providing on-site scientific expertise, specialist training and technical support. As the only solid-state NMR facility in Scotland, the laboratory provides researchers from across the country with access, expertise and support, and enables efficient use to be made of the instrument time available at high field (e.g., at the Scottish High-Field NMR Facility in Edinburgh). The strong and supportive Scottish NMR Community (coordinated through the Scottish NMR Users Group, SNUG), is ideally placed to take advantage of the sharing of equipment and best practice. The flexible access model results in usage by academics from all four nations. In order to both improve day-to-day efficiency and provide a skilled future generation of researchers, the proposal will deliver training for all users including the development of standard operating procedures and specific training in advanced experimental techniques as needed. The proposal will also deliver significantly improved financial and environmental sustainability for the facility. The superconducting magnets require a regular supply of liquid helium, which is a costly and finite natural resource produced as a byproduct of fossil fuel extraction. By installing helium capture capabilities, the facility will be able to connect to the University’s recycling system. This will both sever a link to fossil fuels and provide a major cost reduction. Replacing old, inefficient consoles will also deliver further sustainability benefits
GRN: EP/Z534456/1
Period: 01/04/2025 to 31/03/2030
Funding Source: EPSRC
The role of evolving preferences over consumption goods has long been understood as a determinant of the pattern of structural transformation. However, the role that will be played by consumption preferences over particularly 'green' and 'brown' goods during the required climate transition is less well understood. The climate transition is also a 'structural transformation' problem - an issue of evolving sectoral structure -- and there is scope for extension of traditional analysis from development economics and development studies to the emergent problem of realising a just and developmental transition. Among the important socio-economic and political considerations for key stakeholders to ponder in driving forth climate action are the following issues: 1) that consumption preferences are likely to differ depending on where an individual sits in the income distribution; 2) that there may be conflict within firms over the choice of production technique since this influences the energy-intensity and emissions path of production; and 3) that workers and firm-owners, as well as other actors, influence the political process as voters, independent of their respective roles in consumption and production. In short, there are significant behavioural elements to the climate transition that require better empirical and theoretical understanding. Without understanding this behaviour, strategising a just and developmental transition to a greener economy is impossible. The central objective of this research is correspondingly to strategise how to reconcile structural transformation (raising the share of manufacturing production in total output) with the just transition. Given the historic energy intensity of manufacturing, this will be no mean feat, but it is surely one of the central global challenges for environmental activists, trade unions, policymakers -- and academics to strategise today. To do so, we aim to generate new empirical and theoretical insights into how preferences over consumption, production techniques, and voter behaviour impact the climate transition. Specifically, using the Brazilian context as an initial starting point, our research will help better understand preferences and behaviour in developing countries regarding these three crucial dimensions to the just transition. The research will consist of a survey investigating individual behaviour in each of these three dimensions and heterogeneity in behaviour along these dimensions. The objective of the research is to channel knew knowledge about behaviour of the aforementioned key actors to policy-relevant insights that can inform emboldened climate action for trade unionists, environmental activists, central bankers, treasury officials, and presidencies. The potential benefits could not be greater; a policy and political regime geared toward a reconciled vision for economic emancipation and climate action in the parts of the world in greatest need
GRN: UKRI-428
Period: 01/03/2025 to 28/02/2029
Funding Source: EPSRC
To avoid catastrophic climate change, scientists now agree that greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide emitted from burning fossil fuels used for home heating, transportation, and so on, must be reduced to "net-zero" by 2050. In the event of global decarbonisation, liquid hydrogen is among the most potential energy carriers for transporting energy from regions with enormous resources, such as Australia, to nations with limited energy supplies, such as the EU. However, liquefaction, transportation, and storage of liquid hydrogen present scientific and economic challenges that must be addressed to deploy it at the scale required to meet the demand. One major limitation is that hydrogen liquefaction is an energy-intensive process. A liquefaction process transforms hydrogen gas at 25 °C to liquid hydrogen at -253 °C at atmospheric pressure using a gas compressor, series of heat exchangers, and Joule–Thompson valve. This transformation requires a huge amount of energy. The current hydrogen liquefiers' energy consumption is between (11.9 and 15.0) kWh/kg, and the liquefaction cost is between (2 and 3) US$/kg. In comparison, liquefied natural gas's (LNG) energy consumption is about 0.33 kWh/Kg and costs less than 0.3 US$/kg. Therefore, significant effort is required to reduce the cost of hydrogen liquefaction to a similar value to LNG. One way to achieve this is using mixed refrigerants (MRs) in hydrogen liquefaction heat exchangers and compressors. Common MRs can content hydrogen, nitrogen, neon, helium, and hydrocarbons ranging from methane to butane. MRs can have evaporation temperatures much closer to the cooling temperatures of the hydrogen gas than the typical refrigerant, such as nitrogen. The reduction in temperature differences between the hydrogen and MRs enhances heat transfer and efficiency. Conceptual liquefaction cycles using process simulation tools have been investigated using MRs, and they found that they can significantly improve efficiency from 13.58 kWh/kg to 5.91 kWh/kg. However, the experimental data, such as density for MRs at temperatures below -173 °C, are very limited. Consequently, the predictions of the existing thermodynamic models in the simulation tools are poor. To improve these models the MR property data with sufficiently high accuracy are needed, so the state-of-the-art experimental techniques should be utilised to obtain them. The most advanced experimental facilities for cryogenic measurements in liquid hydrogen have been developed at the University of Western Australia (UWA). In this context, the objective of this overseas travel grant is to access the experimental facilities at UWA to perform an experimental program to measure the phase behaviour and speed of sound of (hydrogen + helium + neon + nitrogen) mixtures at temperatures between ( -173 and -253) °C and pressures up to 100 bar to improve the accuracy of the thermodynamic models for the development hydrogen liquefaction process. Furthermore, this grant will allow me to establish a new international collaboration between Northumbria University and UWA as well as to expand my research knowledge in liquid hydrogen and my expertise in extremely low-temperature setups that I would be able to transfer to Northumbria University after my visit. The new collaboration will contribute to the UK hydrogen strategy by providing technological expertise, knowledge, and data to support the development of liquid hydrogen technology in the UK, particularly in the North East. In the future, this research line will allow North East companies to engage in hydrogen technology
GRN: UKRI-753
Period: 01/05/2025 to 31/07/2025
Funding Source: EPSRC
The unique ambition of the Centre for Joined-Up Sustainability Transformations (JUST) is born from evidence that the context for research on low carbon living (LCL) has changed in recent years: there is an urgent need to translate insights from the wealth of technical and behavioural research into win-win pathways that respond more effectively and sensitively to social and political barriers to meeting the UK's net zero agenda. JUST will respond to this challenge by working with communities in five 'left-behind' regions of the North of England (NofE) and non-academic practice partners to co-produce joined-up strategies for meeting net zero ambitions while simultaneously redressing problems caused by socio-economic inequality. The overall aims of JUST's programme of research are to investigate: (i) What works, when, where and for whom - and what could work - to facilitate the development and implementation of joined-up interventions for a just transition to LCL? (ii) How, where and with whose participation can sustainability transformations be accelerated in ways that combine sustainability with justice for citizens in places that benefit least from dominant economic and political systems? (iii) What lessons for just sustainability transformations can governments, businesses, and communities learn from place-based, co-produced action research? Our objectives are to: conduct, commission and scale research into what works where in LCL approaches, generating context-specific evidence and insight for overcoming complex challenges; develop novel methodologies for generating evidence about what works where, why and for whom; develop, trial and evaluate tools for informing decision-making and meeting place-based needs, working collaboratively in five areas in the NofE and matched places elsewhere in the UK; build capacity needed for sustainability transformations within communities, organisations and sectors; inform and influence public debate on the net zero transition, moving it beyond current tensions and resistances towards the productive joining-up of decarbonisation and social justice. Our interdisciplinary team will use an innovative mix of data science and participatory action research methodologies to undertake studies that observe and map existing LCL initiatives as well as studies that intervene and co-produce new initiatives with practice partners in communities. Both types of study will be analysed through an intellectual framework of six interlocking themes that build on team members' expertise: principles of justice; policy, governance and change; built and social infrastructure; social and solidarity economies; democratic innovations; and methodological innovation. JUST's twin focus on justice and LCL puts impact, social inclusion and reciprocity at the heart of all research and engagement activities. We are a team from five universities with extensive experience of researching at the intersections of sustainability and social justice. We have existing research relationships with communities and organisations in the study regions on which the Centre's work will build. Our impact lead, from the Institute for Community Studies, will coordinate collaboration with eight other core project partners (Institute for Government, Local Government Association, Welsh LGA, Sustainable Scotland Network, British Chambers of Commerce, NHS Confederation, Citizens UK and the Runnymede Trust) to maximise benefits to all participants. We will support capacity building and decision-making towards LCL by producing a JUST toolkit of seven tools to identify and meet the socio-economic-related LCL needs of any location in the UK. Open-access digital resources, training workshops, and an executive education course will ensure the relevance and application of the research across the UK and internationally
GRN: EP/Y037294/1
Period: 01/03/2025 to 31/08/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
The European aviation industry has committed to achieving net-zero aircraft propulsion by 2050 by introducing innovative technologies such as hybrid-electric propulsion and hydrogen fuelled gas turbines. Industry expects the introduction of hydrogen to make the greatest contribution to decarbonisation by 2050 with intra-EU routes being powered by hydrogen from 2035 . This Programme Grant (PG) would focus on solving the considerable scientific challenges encountered when cryogenic liquid hydrogen (LH2) is used to fuel gas turbine cycles. The technology for drop in SAF fuelled engines already exists but the economics and society's appetite for scaling up SAF production, which would remove land from food production and reduce biodiversity, imply that SAF will only form part of the zero carbon solution. We note that SAF combustion also adds CO2 to the atmosphere whereas hydrogen emits only water and can be produced carbon-free. Oxford, Imperial College, Loughborough and King's College are all currently working on some of the technology required to introduce liquid hydrogen fuelled gas turbines but this PG would rapidly accelerate UK progress and focus work on the fundamental science that will drive innovation in this field. The partnership between world class universities and industry will ensure that the UK leads the world in hydrogen powered aero-engines. Our discussions and workshops with Rolls-Royce, Airbus, Reaction Engines, ESA and the ATI have confirmed that there is a pressing need to tackle the intractable problem of engineering the cryogenic fuel system and combustor with a focus on the dynamic interaction between these. The key challenges we will address will enable aircraft engines to safely, efficiently and predictably heat and pressurise liquid hydrogen fuel from the cryogenic conditions that is stored at in the aircraft tank to temperatures suitable for injection in the combustor. Automotive technology on the market (for example, in the Toyota Mirai) relies on storing the hydrogen as a compressed gas where the hydrogen temperature changes and thermal challenges are comparatively modest, but the energy density (accounting for the weight of the tanks) is much less than the cryogenic solution required for commercial flight. For completeness, we note that battery energy storage, which leads zero carbon car technology, is almost two orders of magnitude too heavy for aircraft. This proposal addresses the pressing need for fundamental research, including experimental data, for LH2 fuelled turbofans. Our overall aim is to make mid-range commercial flight zero carbon by 2035. We envisage commercial airliners propelled by turbofans but with the kerosene currently burnt in the combustor replaced by green, zero carbon hydrogen. The vision of the PG is to provide the underpinning engineering science to enable the aero industry to replace existing aviation fuel with hydrogen. Our approach is to combine experiments in fluid dynamics and heat transfer together with physical investigations of the effects of cryogenic LH2 on component mechanical properties with bespoke numerical models to make rapid progress in this challenging zero carbon technology. The PG application has been offered support from many industrial partners and world leading academics which will enable the research team to focus on the conditions relevant to decarbonising flight. Our partnership with industry will ensure our research is rapidly disseminated to the colleagues responsible for the future engines and airframes that will deliver zero carbon aviation
GRN: EP/U537068/1
Period: 01/04/2025 to 31/03/2029
Funding Source: EPSRC
The WINDHY project focuses on the novel production phase of offshore wind-powered green hydrogen as a new energy solution, where the main tasks include obtaining electricity from offshore wind turbines, utilizing electrolysis to derive hydrogen from water, transferring hydrogen to a certain energy carrier, and injecting the hydrogen carrier into a designated transportation mechanism. Many new technologies are under consideration and development for this process, and each of them has own advantages and limitations, as well as varying risks to operators, communities, and the environment. The WINDHY project aims to utilize cross-industry knowledge worldwide and global evidence to understand the risky issues that threaten the stability, safety, and sustainability of offshore wind-powered hydrogen production, and integrate multi-disciplinary expertise to control and mitigate risks of the new process and value chain of offshore wind-powered hydrogen production. The WINDHY project builds a multidisciplinary consortium, with five MS/AC partners, and eight TC partners from 13 countries in all continents. It designs a staff exchange programme with 263 person-months for secondments realized in six work-packages. Through the secondments, and diverse networking activities, the project is expected to conduct a global survey in all participating countries to understand public perceptions and concerns on risky issues, interconnect knowledge about accidents in isolated databases in multiple sectors and regions, evaluates different aspects of social-, economic-, and environmental sustainability of new technologies, and develop a risk management framework with digital supporting tool for the new production equipment and process. The project follows the open science policy with a dedicated data management plan, and aims to develop skills of participating researchers, and improve R&I potential of Europe in offshore renewable energy
GRN: UKRI-834
Period: 05/08/2025 to 04/02/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Envision a future where the next-generation batteries derive their materials from trees and crustaceans instead of relying on synthetic organic solvents. Picture nonflammable solid electrolytes replacing the conventional flammable liquid electrolyte in cutting-edge battery technology. Now, consider achieving these advancements without compromising the battery's performance, especially in terms of capacity and cycle life. The potential savings in terms of money, time, and environmental impact are immense. With the backing of the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), we are poised to embark on the initial phase of realising this vision. I will be collaborating with Professor Alice Mija from Côte d'Azur University to pioneer the development of a new solid-state electrolyte. This electrolyte aims to exhibit high ionic conductivities and wide electrochemical windows, ensuring stable cycling performance and enhanced energy density for Li-sulphur batteries. The overseas travel grant will act as a catalyst, fostering collaboration between UK and French teams. This collaboration aims to merge expertise, combining Professor Mija's extensive experience in polymer chemistry with the UK team's experience in electrochemistry and battery design. Together, we form an ideal team equipped to address various challenges associated with polymer electrolytes. Undoubtedly, an undertaking of such ambition and innovation necessitates several years to achieve its goals. To secure long-term support for this endeavour, we plan to apply for a larger grant from the European Research Council (ERC Synergy Grants). However, preliminary assessments and collaborative groundwork are crucial before developing a long-term project. To this end, I have set up a practical program, including three 1-week visits to the partner lab in France. These visits aim to frame future collaboration, expand the project team, and ensure a solid foundation for the larger grant application. The success of this proposal extends beyond the laboratory, with the potential to revolutionise energy storage systems. Such advancements would facilitate the widespread adoption of renewable energy, impacting society, industry, and academia on a national and global scale. This project holds the promise of advancing UK global competitiveness, economic prosperity, and overall quality of life. Direct beneficiaries include companies involved in hand-held electronics and electric vehicles experiencing improved battery technology. Moreover, UK power grids and electric utility companies stand to benefit from the proposed energy storage device, potentially addressing transmission congestion relief and demand charge management applications. The project's outcomes may also find application in empowering spacecraft, satellite batteries, or other aerospace technologies. Ultimately, this project aims to facilitate valuable knowledge transfer to the combined industrial and scientific research community. By doing so, it seeks to redirect efforts toward the development of new, renewable, and eco-friendly energy sources.
GRN: UKRI-945
Period: 01/04/2025 to 31/03/2032
Funding Source: EPSRC
Carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4) account for over 90% of the total greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalent, making them driving factors for global warming and consequently for shaping current environmental policies. To meet environmental targets, society needs to concurrently emit less and capture more greenhouse gases. Dry reforming of methane (DRM), where CO2 and CH4 are converted into H2 and CO (syngas), is a commercially attractive way to produce syngas from abundant feedstock including industrial and agricultural waste while capturing harmful greenhouse gases. However, in the case of DRM, conventional methods relying on thermally driven catalysis suffer from high energy requirements which render the reaction costly and environmentally unsustainable. Here, we propose to use a sunlight-assisted approach to drive the reaction at substantially lower temperatures. Mg has been recently discovered as a sustainable plasmonic metal with the best match to the solar spectrum. Our recent work pioneered catalytically active plasmonic nanoparticles based on cheap and earth-abundant Mg and demonstrated their excellent light-enhanced catalytic performance, making Mg an ideal candidate for application in sunlight-assisted low-temperature DRM. The objective of this proposal is to explore the pathway from ground-breaking research on Mg-based catalytically active plasmonic nanoparticles towards commercially viable innovation in low temperature gas-phase transformation of stable molecules, using DRM as the model reaction. To achieve this ambitious goal, this project will advance the technical understanding and capabilities that will underpin the target market, develop our business strategy, and forge links with industrial partners. The outcomes will set the path towards commercial scale, sustainable, low-cost and low-emission conversion of greenhouse gases into high value-added chemical building blocks
GRN: UKRI-378
Period: 03/01/2025 to 02/07/2026
Funding Source: EPSRC
Mission: Smart ENergy data ServicE (SENSE) will be the national service for smart energy systems data. It will unlock and demonstrate the value of smart data (e.g., consumption, networks, consumer behaviour, electric vehicles) to enable high-impact cutting-edge transdisciplinary research, innovation and joined-up policy solutions to the biggest sustainability, health and wellbeing and Net Zero policy challenges. SENSE is led by Energy Systems Catapult, which, as a key independent convenor of UK energy systems stakeholders across industry, academia, government, the third sector and the public, is uniquely placed to serve the whole UK community. Context/Challenge: SENSE addresses key challenges around core themes: Achieving Net-Zero: through smart live energy data to inform policies, infrastructure, technologies, adaptations, and behaviours. Whole Systems Approaches: combining diverse and varied data to optimise interfaces between buildings and energy supplies. Ensuring Health Co-Benefits: using contextual population health data to target support to vulnerable people who cannot afford to stay warm and well at home, improving health, reducing use of health services, and saving the NHS money and resources. SENSE will be strongly positioned to support sustainability and Net-Zero objectives of the Net-Zero Strategy, British Energy Security Strategy, Ten-Point Plan, and Powering up Britain; to ensure the health co-benefits of these are experienced by all; and to meet key sector priorities (National Grid ESO, UKRI Digital Research Infrastructure Strategy) for data sharing infrastructure, connectivity, resilience, and engagement.
GRN: ES/Z504592/1
Period: 03/01/2025 to 30/09/2025
Funding Source: ESRC
This proposal is focused on a nuclear robotics and artificial intelligence cluster (RAI), linking Cumbria and Oxfordshire, to accelerate the decommissioning of the country's nuclear legacy and remove people from harm. This will ultimately deliver £billion savings to the UK taxpayer, and help establish the UK as the international lead in nuclear innovation, a US$1 trillion industry (1). Our collaboration will enable regional growth, job retention and creation, £multi-million investment and cross-sector opportunities in fields such as space, agriculture, and mining. The estimated cost for decommissioning the UK's legacy fission sites is £178 billion, with timescales stretching over 100 years, and current spending exceeding £3.5 billion/year. By far the most significant decommissioning challenges are on the Sellafield site, West Cumbria, which accounts for almost 75% of the estimated decommissioning costs. In Oxfordshire, the Joint European Torus (JET) ceased operations in December 2023 and its decommissioning and repurposing will now progress until at least 2040 at an estimated cost of £1 billion. There are significant commonalities between fission and fusion decommissioning, especially with remote handling operations, and hence the pronounced linkage between the Cumbria and Oxfordshire Nuclear RAI Cluster. RAI is one of the few identified approaches recognised to have significant impact on nuclear decommissioning activities. Recent studies have suggested that RAI has the potential to reduce the cost of decommissioning by £billions, reduce decommissioning timescales by decades and improve worker safety. At the Sellafield site alone, the National Nuclear Laboratory have estimated that RAI has the potential to reduce costs by £11 billion (2). However, commercial RAI solutions are not yet available for most of the nuclear decommissioning challenges that exist. The Nuclear RAI Cluster will address this, bringing innovative technologies from academia to market. Whilst nuclear decommissioning might be the immediate concern, to achieve net zero goals, the UK plans to invest in new nuclear power plants and offshore windfarms, both of which require new commercial RAI technology to enable them to operate efficiently with minimal risk. Nuclear fusion reactors and space exploration are areas in which the UK has significant ambitions, but neither is possible without advances in commercial RAI tools. The technologies developed in the Nuclear RAI Cluster are directly transferable to these other markets, offering the potential for additional investment streams to be brought to Cumbria and Oxfordshire. The UK Atomic Energy Authority, acting in its role as a national laboratory will lead this PBIAA, enabling access to its extensive networks that connect academia with the supply chain. Research support is provided by two of the UK's leading RAI universities: Oxford and Manchester. Through this programme the University of Cumbria will develop further research capabilities and establish themselves as regional RAI technology transfer lead in Cumbria. Extensive support has been received from both civic bodies (Councils, LEPs) and supply chain representing SMEs and large industry. The objectives of this Nuclear RAI Cluster will be achieved via three overlapping and re-enforcing themes of Collaboration, Creation, and Culture. Activities supported will include secondments, networking, strategic partnerships, competition analyses, technology translation and market reviews amongst others. Impact will include: > 5,000 people engaged with Cluster-driven events > 200 business opportunities > 10 spin-out companies created > 25 licensing deals > 200 jobs created > £22.5M leveraged fundin
GRN: ES/Z504579/1
Period: 25/01/2025 to 30/09/2025
Funding Source: ESRC
To meet Net Zero obligations the UK is rapidly transitioning its energy system to clean technology. These innovative technologies introduce new and emerging risks that will require identifying, understanding, and control through proportionate management, standards and regulation. Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is one technology that will form part of the net zero delivery, receiving £21.7bn of UK government funding in 2024. CCUS will involve repurposing of existing oil and gas pipelines for the transportation of Carbon Dioxide (CO2), and presents a complex engineering and safety management challenge, using a wide range of technical data, information and knowledge across multiple technical disciplines. Net Zero as a fundamental change to the energy system is occurring at a time when there is considerable flux in the skills and operating environment of the businesses with the responsibility to deliver, operate and maintain their assets safely. For example, significant expansion of the workforce is required to deliver Net Zero, and experienced people are retiring and new competences are needed. At the same time AI is revolutionising many fields, including engineering. AI in engineering helps organisations analyse the behaviour of complex systems, however its application introduces both risk and opportunity. AI systems use, or integration, in high-hazard industries, specifically in association with safety management systems is a potential key risk area. AI is entering the engineering supply chain in the form of Large Language Models (LLMs), machine learning and generative design. It has the potential to be used in direct or associated safety critical activities during delivery of CCUS technology. This introduces potential unknown systemic safety risks to society and employees operating the technology. The specific risks of interest are at the system level where AI systems are combined with high hazard industries (CCUS) technical and safety management systems. As an example, this could be where a LLM is used in the preparation of technical safety studies; decision support in design, construction, commissioning or operation; asset maintenance technicians, and operators are using LLMs to inform task preparation; or where regulators are seeking to regulate safety systems where AI has been an input. The overarching aim of this project is to identify potential risks and possible control and mitigation opportunities for use of AI in a system that spans AI, high hazard technical and safety management systems. With a use case selected to support delivery of the energy system transition. The project will use a structured approach, a commonly used qualitative risk analysis technique, specifically a Hazard Identification (HAZID) study, to identify potential hazards and their associated risks. This feasibility study is applying CCUS as the use case, where CCUS serves as a proxy to explore a wider need to mitigate similar risks in other innovative energy technologies with similar safety management needs - e.g. gaseous hydrogen, sustainable aviation fuels, ammonia, and liquid hydrogen. Beyond identifying risks, this project also intends to identify opportunities to leverage AI in support of high levels of safety performance and support efficient regulation of safety management systems
GRN: ES/Z504130/1
Period: 03/02/2025 to 02/02/2030
Funding Source: ESRC
SEMiTaSS aims to research how electric vehicle (EV) sharing can become a successful sustainable mobility option in English towns and villages. Research shows that the potential of transport electrification to be sustainable, inclusive, and transformative is augmented if EVs are shared – and even more so in smaller settlements. Remote working and online shopping replace some trips, but do not necessarily reduce total car trips or mileage. Local public transport services have declined in frequency and reliability across rural areas, shrinking access for those unable to drive and enforcing car dependency on residents who are, on average, 10 years older than their urban counterparts. Shared electric mobility (SEM) services are concentrated in cities, so there is limited understanding of their possible success factors outside urban neighbourhoods. SEM could reduce car dependency, isolation, and transport carbon emissions in towns and villages, but there is little specific research into how to do this. SEMiTaSS proposes to analyse car clubs, bike loans and peer-to-peer SEM in English towns and villages to distinguish them and their use from city SEM, and assess their benefits, viability, and success within the community. SEMiTaSS will also investigate in-depth 3-4 rural SEM examples at different stages of development in the English counties of Suffolk, Norfolk, and Oxfordshire to understand how they can become widely used over time. The two main research objectives are as follows: Analyse SEM services in English towns and villages with populations of up to ~40,000; distinguish their adoption into everyday practices and the materials, skills and meanings of SEM policy, operation and use in these communities, benchmarking them against their urban counterparts. Understand how SEM practices emerge, evolve and become embedded at community level through in-depth engagement with those involved in existing and emerging SEM services and at least one co-produced, year-long trial. SEMiTaSS will apply social practice theories (SPT) to both identify quantitative indicators of viability and impact specific to smaller settlements, such as changes to multiple car ownership, and to qualitatively analyse established, recently introduced and future SEM examples in English towns and villages, where SEM users may also be local policymakers and providers of SEM. Using SPT builds on prior research into shared mobility, which will be subject to a scoping review. This and other academic outputs will benefit an international audience of transport and transition researchers by enriching the diverse and rapidly evolving knowledge base of changing environmental practices, norms, and success factors in relation to SEM and filling an identified gap in rural mobility research. SEMiTaSS will also bring together local government policymakers, SEM operators, and users, involving them directly in the research into how SEM becomes integrated into their communities and co-producing at least one SEM trial, and providing them with and helping them disseminate outputs to demonstrate the viability and success factors of SEM in town and village communities. This knowledge will benefit local authorities who have declared climate emergencies, shared mobility operators who can expand into new markets, and rural residents who want more sustainable and community-focused transport options and assets. The outputs will also be designed so that the direct beneficiaries can engage with the EV industry (building on the ZEV mandate), property developers and rural employers who can help them invest and scale the sharing service ecosystem in these rural communities
GRN: ES/Z504671/1
Period: 01/03/2025 to 30/11/2027
Funding Source: ESRC
Context Energy markets have been under intense scrutiny in recent years. The energy crisis precipitated by the war in Ukraine has seen consumers’ energy bills soar, with profound consequences for the cost-of-living. At the same time, the push for Net Zero will require significant new investments from households and businesses as part of a sweeping clean energy transition. Historically energy markets have been dominated by large vertically integrated incumbent firms. This has led to persistent concerns about weak competition and a lack of choice for consumers. But in the last few years there has been a shakeup of the companies operating in many energy markets. In the UK, five of the six largest energy companies have broken up their businesses and new firms have entered, often introducing new business models and consumer products. Key Challenges Given this turbulent period, it is striking that there remains a lack of consensus on several important questions regarding energy market design and the structure of energy companies. Does energy tariff choice meaningfully benefit consumers? Does retail competition send the right price signals to consumers looking to make low-carbon investments? What are the implications of different energy tariffs for energy poverty? How should the risks to consumers from companies going bankrupt be managed? Is there a case for companies owning their own power plants to mitigate these risks, and if so, at what cost? This project will use new data and advanced economic methods to undertake novel research that can address these gaps in our understanding. Objectives and Contribution to Knowledge This research project will study the UK energy markets to address a series of key research questions: How have the business models and organisational structures of energy companies changed in the past decade? How does the breakup and restructuring of large incumbent energy companies affect competition, insolvency risks and consumer prices? How does energy tariff choice affect energy poverty and consumer investments in low-carbon technologies? In tackling these questions, this research project will advance current understanding and generate new knowledge both within and outside the field of energy and environmental economics. Research Impact The proposed work is incredibly timely given the recent energy crisis, wider concerns about the cost-of-living and regional disparities, as well as the risks posed by climate change to society, the economy and the environment. This research will therefore provide highly relevant insights for key UK policy priorities on Net Zero, Cost-Of-Living and Levelling Up. Findings will be disseminated through a combination of published academic papers, blog posts and conference presentations. There will also be extensive direct engagement with policy stakeholders, including Ofgem who is one of the project partners
GRN: UKRI-603
Period: 01/04/2025 to 31/03/2028
Funding Source: ESRC
The UK Catalysis Hub III is a highly effective and productive partnership between 46 universities, 15 companies, and 4 UK National facilities. Our vision is to deliver high-impact research across the many branches of catalysis focused on ensuring society achieves a net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and low-pollution future. We will co-create and deliver multi-disciplinary catalysis research, work with industry and business partners to produce new technologies and support proof-of-concept high risk/reward research. Our objectives are: Co-create and deliver, across the UK, multidisciplinary catalysis research and Support proof of concept, high impact research and partnerships in catalysis Train, support and mentor UK early career researchers with an inclusive hub Enable advanced catalyst characterization by strategic national facility collaborations Integrate computational, digital and data science techniques Provide strategic leadership, partnership and advocacy for catalysis Deliver long-term economic, environmental and societal impact Build international networks, partnerships and collaborations The project addresses the critical challenge of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions and a sustainable chemical industry. Advances in catalysis are essential to reach its sustainability targets across various sectors, including consumer products, energy generation/storage, agriculture, healthcare, construction, and retail. Currently our sector is heavily reliant on fossil carbon-based chemicals; our research prioritises innovative science and engineering to diversify the sector, limit emissions and tackle other sustainability challenges. Our research integrates heterogeneous, homogeneous, biocatalysis, photo-, electrocatalysis, engineering and computational approaches to activate renewable resources, reduce energy demand and develop efficient processes to make basic chemicals, energy vectors, synthetic fuels, specialty chemicals, polymers/materials and pharmaceuticals. Our research will integrate advances in catalysis with renewable energy, innovating in reactor and process engineering design. We are strongly integrated with advanced specialist characterization at UK central facilities including those associated with synchrotron radiation (Diamond), neutron/muons (ISIS), lasers/spectroscopy (CLF) and computation/data (STFC Scientific Computing) and with key community initiatives, e.g. manufacturing and AI Hubs. The UK Catalysis Hub III fosters extensive partnership working through its collaborative, multi-disciplinary research themes and projects. Our 15 business partners include chemical producers and end-users and spanning major multinationals through to high growth SMEs. Our international partners include major catalysis teams based in the USA, Germany, Switzerland, France, the Netherlands, Norway, India, South Korea, South Africa and Australia. Our national facility collaborations, accessible to the UK community, include expert scientific and engineering support, prioritised access to beamlines through block allocation grants, laboratories and infrastructure at the Harwell campus. The Catalysis Hub III will also provide a comprehensive series of events including specialist training opportunities, one day symposia convening different communities, networking with partners and an annual scientific conference. All our events will be free and accessible to the UK community. We are committed to inspiring, training and mentoring the next generation to achieve their career objectives and strengthen the UK workforce. We have established a series of strategic partnerships with other UKRI investments, hubs and centres for doctoral training and we will seek to capitalise upon and expand these partnerships over the hub lifetime
GRN: UKRI-613
Period: 01/04/2025 to 31/03/2028
Funding Source: ESRC
The award will deliver new research equipment to be used by a wide range of scientists and engineers at the University of Leeds (as well as external academia/industry). The instruments will provide new or improved capabilities and will be housed in dedicated facilities with full support and training from dedicated research and technical professionals. Access to the instruments will be open to researchers at all career stages, with a special focus on supporting the training and development of those undertaking doctoral degrees. Sustainability of the equipment, its operation and the userbase has been built into the decision making process for the items selected. Overall the equipment encompasses both core work-horse instruments that support a large number of users for one aspect of their work, through to more bespoke instrumentation that supports a smaller number of multiple users (many early career) across multiple departments more comprehensively, building on specific areas of strength in Leeds and aligning with both University and EPSRC strategic priorities. The five specific items of equipment are: 1) Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis system representing core equipment benefitting multiple users for the general morphological, microstructural and elemental characterisation of materials which is a key component of research within the Bragg Centre for Materials Research at Leeds comprising over 400 researchers, and across the wider campus. 2) High resolution liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) system representing core equipment for the routine mass measurement of proteins, nucleic acids, peptides and small molecules which is critical for research within the Astbury Centre for Structural Molecular Biology and the Faculties of Biological Sciences (FBS), Engineering and Physical Sciences and Medicine and Health. 3) Tensile Stage for operando Small/Wide-Angle X-ray Scattering (SAXS/WAXS) that will be a new add-on capability to existing EPSRC-funded X-ray scattering facilities enabling users across Leeds to study nanostructure deformations under tensile strain/stress and at variable temperatures. This can be applied to a wide range of systems from elastomers and rubbers, to antimicrobial coatings, electrospun nanofibres, protein-based food systems and advanced nonwoven textiles. 4) Spinal Disc Simulator representing a bespoke biomechanical test simulator enabling loads or motions to be applied to sections of the spine and associated implants and measured in six degrees of freedom under extended cyclic loading. It can also be used for testing other musculoskeletal joints and implants including the wrist and ankle and complements an existing range of equipment at Leeds which houses the largest academic facility worldwide for the simulation of joint replacement implants. 5) Thermal Conductivity Measurement Equipment for testing the thermal behaviour of structural and geological materials and targeting the Engineering Net Zero priority area, and the Energy and Decarbonisation theme. The equipment will support many research areas across multiple Faculties at Leeds including: ground engineering, materials engineering, built environment, structural engineering, water engineering, energy storage and carbon capture and storage. It will replace existing delicate equipment and provide much more efficient testing of samples. The research discoveries enabled by this investment in equipment will be disseminated through publication in appropriate open-access journals as well as numerous outreach activities. The facilities will also support the growth of collaborative work between the University and business, from SMEs (including spin-outs of the University) to major international companies, improving their products and processes and ultimately returning benefit to the UK taxpayer
09/04/2025
31 new projects added
GRN: NIA_UKPN0104
Period: 01/10/2024 to 28/02/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
AI for Visibility and Forecasting of Renewable Generation aims to improve metered and behind the meter solar and wind generation forecasts to procure flexibility and reduce curtailment more efficiently, and better inform network investment. This will consist of the development of a machine learning algorithm that takes timeseries data from commercial customers and satellite imagery, weather forecasts and other open data to provide a live forecast service. This forecast will improve on the spatial and temporal granularity of existing forecasting, supporting the more efficient procurement of flexibility services and curtailment of generation, ultimately leading to financial savings for the DSO and customers, as well as CO2 savings.
GRN: NIA_WWU_2_64
Period: 01/09/2024 to 31/03/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The UK Hydrogen Strategy emphasises the pivotal role of low carbon hydrogen in achieving net-zero targets, especially in challenging sectors like heavy industry, transportation, and power. Ambitious government targets aim to deliver 2GW of low carbon hydrogen by 2025 and 10GW by 2030.The only mature technology for producing green hydrogen (no carbon emissions) is water electrolysis, which uses renewable electricity to split water into hydrogen and oxygen. This technology is not only incredibly energy intensive, but also has difficulty using intermittent power such as from wind/solar.The project addresses both of these challenges through innovative biomass electrolysis technology, which uses liquid waste biomass to produce green hydrogen and green chemicals. Overall this could reduce costs of future upgrades by aiding decision making through evidence-based analysis of gas user requirements and energy flows across the network.
GRN: NIA2_INFU0344
Period: 01/01/2025 to 30/11/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
This paper proposes the development of a functional prototype of an accessible CO alarm with integrated IoT features, tailored to the needs of vulnerable and disabled individuals. The driver for this paper is the identified gap in accessible CO safety technology for disabled communities, as highlighted in Phase 1.With increased government and industry focus on inclusivity, now is an opportune moment to advance this project. The expected outcomes are a fully developed and tested prototype, stakeholder engagement to support future phases, and a potential innovation fund for ongoing development. This is an innovation project focused on safety and inclusivity, with a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) currently at TRL 3 (proof of concept).
GRN: NIA_UKPN0106
Period: 01/01/2025 to 31/03/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
CommsConnect aims to improve Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) visibility of the resilience of public mobile networks to understand the interdependence between these two systems. The project consists of two technical methods of data gathering to better understand the resilience and power autonomy of public mobile networks:1. A software upgrade to existing mobile routers to use idle time to monitor surrounding mobile network availability. Mobile routers deployed across DNO operating regions would create a wide-area sensor network to detect and report any mobile outages.2. Direct engagement with mobile network operators to obtain the physical location of each mast, and if possible the associated installed power autonomy available at each site.
GRN: NPG_NIA_54
Period: 01/02/2025 to 31/03/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
The current, static nature of DUoS charges fails to address the increasing variability of when periods of peak demand occur e.g. instances ofprice herding around periods of negative wholesale prices that can fall outside of thetraditional peak demand periods. While explicitly contracted flexibility services can seek to address this through demand turn down/generation turn up services, procuring such services adds cost &complexity to mitigating network constraints. Additionally the totality of the network is not usually considered, with a focus often on either an HV or LV solution. Dynamic network pricing will take the form of a multi-voltage level network price as well as differentiation within the same voltage level, enabling specific assets, such as individual low voltage feeder cables to be priced uniquely based on prevailing conditions. This network level approach will co-ordinate price signals to efficiently mitigate system wide constraints&avoid possible conflicting actions
GRN: NIA2_NGET0070
Period: 01/09/2024 to 30/09/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The project aims to use a 3D printer to print substation foundations using low carbon concrete (Geo polymer mix) to reduce the construction driven carbon emissions. The supplier (Hyperion) has 3D printing mortar capable of resisting high forces with 50 years of design life. The project will optimize the design and will reduce the current material use by 50%. The foundations will be twice light as compared to the typical foundations. They will be transportable and can be precast near the site. The aim is to achieve the carbon emission reduction, concrete material reduction, weight reduction, labour reduction, and swiftness of the process. This project at first will explore the printability of lighting column foundation which is simple approach as compared to other foundations.
GRN: NGET/Eye_in_the_Sky/SIFDataDig
Period: 01/08/2022 to 01/02/2023
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project brings forward 3 of 12 asset monitoring use cases studiedduring the Discovery phase, which at maturity would collectively deliver anestimated 22 million GBP (NPV over 10 years) value to Networks and customersthrough a combination of cost savings by replacing manual ground and aerialmonitoring, and cost avoidance through increased risk awareness. A switch awayfrom manual monitoring will also lower emissions associated with Operation &Maintenance activities. This is closely aligned with the Data and Digitalisationchallenges aims to improve asset visibility and increase monitoring, efficiency,reliability, security, and resiliency of networks.The project will investigate the development of aremote, automated nationwide land and asset motion solution based on the use ofSAR satellite imagery and different InSAR analysis techniques. The project willinvestigate how the accuracy and concentration of land and asset motion datapoints can be improved and integrated into NGETs asset monitoring systems. Theproject will also investigate the development of a remote, automated, nationwidenetwork monitoring solution based on the use of sub meter resolution opticalimagery. The solution will look at risk and change issues in general andspecifically unauthorized construction and storage of building materials. Theproject will advance understanding of the defects/changes experienced by thenetwork, their size, frequency, and risk priority and test EO detection likelihood,with a view to integration into NGETs asset monitoring systems.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0079
Period: 01/01/2025 to 31/08/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
The energy network transition will require more agile, flexible and interconnected networks underpinned by reliable communications networks in particular where services for protection and control are concerned. Operational fibre optic networks are reaching an age where some of the equipment is starting to fail whilst other parts of the network are intact and may be able to provide significant further service life. This project will examine enhanced optical sensing methods to detect and track the ageing process of fibre optic cables and associated fittings with the aim of providing accurate health information and the capability to forecast failures. The research will include new optical sensing methods as well as new algorithms to interpret the data and correlate to other data sources.?
GRN: NIA2_SGN0060
Period: 01/09/2024 to 31/01/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project is a safety-critical H100 Fife Distribution Network Project to train H100 Fife personnel and demonstrate safe interference damage management in gas mains up to 250mm Polyethylene (PE) in diameter for the H100 Fife Distribution network building on previous work developed under the Hypurge project. The Hypurge project focused on planned commissioning and decommissioning purging operations and recommended direct purging for airtight systems up to 90mm in diameter. However, approximately 40% of the H100 distribution Network has pipe diameters above 90mm, and the conclusions of Hypurge cannot be applied to systems where airtightness has been lost, and oxygen ingression is predominant, as experienced during pipeline interference damage without further research.
GRN: NIA2_SGN0051
Period: 01/07/2024 to 31/12/2024
Funding Source: Ofgem
The IGEM/SR/25 hydrogen supplement reveals significant differences in the dispersion distances between Natural Gas and hydrogen, potentially extending hazardous areas beyond current site perimeters following a conversion to hydrogen. The Hazardous Area Impact Mitigation (HAIM) Phase 1 project (NIA2_SGN0041) revealed discrepancies between the calculated values in the hydrogen supplement and small scale empirical test results, necessitating a follow-on phase. Phase 2 will look to engage wider stakeholders, refine experiments to incorporate the impact of wind on releases, map additional vent types like angled vents, and conduct larger scale tests to validate Phase 1 findings across all pressure tiers. Additional work will also be carried out by DNV using industry standard packages to provide further comparison from modelling with the data tables from the IGEM/SR/25 hydrogen supplement.
GRN: NIA2_SGN0071
Period: 01/10/2024 to 28/02/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The objective of this Project is to help inform (i) GDNs views on the investability of the heat networks business model proposed by DESNZ and Ofgem, in particular on the appropriateness of the proposed use of zoning and adaptations or alternatives to zoning which might be more appropriate; and (ii) GDNs understanding of the prospects for repurposing selected assets on its gas networks to form part of heat networks.
GRN: NIA_NGN_454
Period: 01/09/2024 to 28/02/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
GDNs have committed to replace allat risk iron pipes with polyethylene (PE) by 2032. This initiative has and will continue to be a significant investment of customer money. To avoid the stranding of these assets and further investment of customer money, GDNs are seeking alternative ways to operate and evolve their current gas networks to suit future requirements. It is considered that a PE network could be suited for use in heat networks such as district heating, leading to benefits for existing customers.The output from this project will be a feasibility study that produces a report and dissemination piece. This study will inform GDNs, heat network providers, councils and local area planners about regulatory requirements, commercial viability, any technical or operational challenges.
GRN: NGN_9021_SIF_R2_Discovery (UKR
Period: 01/04/2023 to 01/06/2023
Funding Source: Ofgem
Renewable hydrogen and energy storage options are widely regarded as critical toachieving the UKs 2050 net-zero target. For project developers planning offshore-wind/hydrogen production facilities, an abundance of design choices andconfigurations exist, each of which has advantages and disadvantages, andquestions remain about how to integrate electrolysers/energy storage devices intothe existing energy system. These include (i) where best to locate these systems,(ii) what enabling technologies are required to deploy them efficiently, (iii) how tovalidate/demonstrate novel enabling technologies, and (iv) how to efficiently incorporate the resultant hydrogen into the existing gas network while minimising the costs of a secure, resilient, multi-vector energy system.Answering these questions requires a whole system approach, which the projectseeks to take via three primary work streams:1) Defining the optimal methods of exporting energy from an offshore-wind farm inthe context of value for money for customers.2) Defining the energy carrying characteristics of electricity vs hydrogen toestablish the cost drivers and identify opportunities for cost reduction.3) Understanding the impact on the gas/electricity networks of the imminentincrease in renewable generation into the network and how strategic deploymentof electrolysers, energy storage devices, and novel enabling technologies canreduce energy network investment requirements.The projects longer-term aim is to support Kinewell to build on their expertise andexisting IP to develop a novel, technology-agnostic planning tool to helpdevelopers establish the optimal configuration and additional technologyrequirements on a case-by-case basis. This will significantly reduce costsassociated with offshore-wind/hydrogen production and its integration into the gas network, strengthening the UKs energy system robustness to support efficient roll out of new infrastructure (Theme 2) and accelerating the net-zerotransition.Discovery phase success will enhance the teams understanding of how green hydrogen can effectively deliver net-zero at the lowest cost to consumers, which will provide focus for subsequent phases that will develop and demonstrate the planning tool and demonstrate/validate novel enabling technologies to maximise the tools impact.HyCoRe brings together eight partners with expertise encompassing gas/electricity network distribution operation, offshore-wind technology development/commercialisation, offshore-wind design optimisation, green hydrogen project development, cost modelling and business case development, infrastructure mapping, and supply chain development. The team possess keyskills required to deliver HyCoRe, and to deploy the tool, and any enabling technologies identified, for the benefit of the UK energy system, and ultimately the consumer.
GRN: NIA_WWU_02_67
Period: 01/12/2024 to 31/05/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The development of large-scale storage of hydrogen is widely accepted to be a critical element of the transition to a future net zero energy system. Most focus at present is on the development of depleted gas fields as hydrogen stores. This project will advance the alternative of development of aquifer structures for hydrogen storage. As a lower cost option, this clearly offers a lower cost integrated energy system to the benefit of all system participants. Aquifers are also significantly more accessible than depleted gas fields, with some regions not having access close to them: e.g. South Wales or the Southwest of England.The objective of this project is to extend the earlier concept work undertaken for the Hydrogen Storage in Aquifers SIF Round 3 Discovery (SIF_WWU_3_1) project into a pre-feasibility study relating to a small number of specific structures.
GRN: NIA2_SGN0056
Period: 01/09/2024 to 31/03/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project will look to continue and improve upon the work of NIA2_SGN0025 Interventions for Hydrogen by Asset Group (Asset Interventions) by undertaking additional assessments of the new evidence from Hydrogen Heating Programme (HHP) projects completed since the end of phase 2c and by incorporating any relevant international evidence. The format of the database will also be enhanced to enable easier access to the key points and to review the scoring using a new weighted average method, which will improve accuracy. Summaries of the evidence within the database will also be produced against the HSE Demonstration (D) points and the Evidence Management System (EMS) level 2 sub-requirements to provide an overview to DESNZ on the completeness of the NSI D points.
GRN: NIA_WWU_02_62
Period: 01/11/2024 to 31/08/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The industry has undertaken many projects to look at the potential implications of an energy transition whereby the gas distribution networks transport hydrogen rather than natural gas. Wales & West Utilities (WWU), together with Northern Gas Networks (NGN) and WSP, have previously undertaken a project to examine past energy transitions made by the gas industry, with a particular focus on the conversion program where the British Gas Industry transitioned from Town Gas to natural gas, and the important decisions that led to this (NIA_WWU_2_17).The Lessons Learnt: Phase Two project will build on the findings of the previous project involving research and reporting on industrial and commercial conversions, network conversions, previous decommissions, and timelines for all aspects, by developing on the findings of the first project in greater depth and detail.
GRN: NIA_WWU_02_65
Period: 01/10/2024 to 30/06/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project will identify locations within WWUs network for hydrogen storage in lined rock caverns that are feasible to support the early hydrogen sector and enable hydrogen producers to provide electricity network services.Highlight services that lined rock caverns can cost effectively provide to the hydrogen sector, and compare these costs to alternative available storage options, identifying the timelines that these services are likely to be required.Highlight the network planning implications for the need to connect hydrogen producers and demand to lined rock caverns.
GRN: NIA_WWU_02_61
Period: 01/08/2024 to 31/07/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The UK Government has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050. All future energy modelling identifies a key role for hydrogen in providing decarbonised energy for heat, industry and power generation. Green hydrogen production requires carbon-free electricity, purified water and relatively expensive membranes made from rare metals giving considerable barriers to efficient and cost-effective production.This project will focus on how treatment of industrial manufacturing process wastewater containing elevated levels of contaminants (heavy metals/fibres) and microplastics, can expand water types available for electrolysis, increasing opportunities for co-location of electrolysis citing at industrial clusters and reducing risk of fast passivation of electrodes to reduce ongoing maintenance costs. The resultant water will be used in the process of electrolysis to produce green hydrogen, reducing cost and increasing availability of green hydrogen production.
GRN: NIA_WWU_02_63
Period: 01/09/2024 to 31/03/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The Climate Change Committee predicts well need at least 100GW of offshore wind by 2050 to meet our Net Zero targets and the ambition is that 1GW will come from Floating Offshore Wind (FLOW). The integration of green hydrogen production and FLOW requires significant investment; there is a need to truly articulate both the financial and wider benefits.In complement to the South Wales Industrial Cluster (SWIC), HyLine Cymru, and previous work under the Milford Haven Energy Kingdom programme, we are now preparing for the delivery of a package of work under the newly formed, Launchpad-funded Milford Haven Hydrogen Kingdom (MHHK) programme.OptiFLOW will answer the crucial question of how it is best to connect offshore hydrogen production to the onshore HyLine pipeline to fuel industrial processes in the SWIC region. OptiFLOW will investigate the options to bring hydrogen onshore from multiple assets cost effectively, whilst bringing wider economic benefits to the UK and the region.
GRN: NPG_NIA_053
Period: 01/02/2025 to 31/07/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The rising costs of energy, coupled with high poverty rates, disproportionately impact vulnerable households, especially those with disabilities and/or caring responsibilities. Statistics reveal that the proportion of working age disabled people living in poverty is 27%, and their energy bills can be significantly higher than average (Scope, 2022). These costs are forcing many of these families to go without heating or essential medical equipment. As electric vehicle (EV) adoption grows, particularly within the Motability scheme, there is an urgent need to address the energy demands of these vulnerable populations by making the most of emerging technology and maximising the benefits of flexible EV Charging.
GRN: NIA_WWU_02_66
Period: 01/11/2024 to 30/04/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
As the UK attempts to decarbonise residential heat to meet net zero by 2050, electric heat pumps along with heat networks are expected to play a key role. However, it is generally accepted that no one technology will be able to meet the needs of all households. If we are to deliver affordable low- carbon heating in the residential sector, we shall need as wide a range of technology options as possible to overcome the economic and technical challenges facing every customer.Project GaIN (Gathering Insights) will explore alternatives to heat pumps and heat networks which can utilise the robust gas network and benefit from its current upgrade programme, supporting the aims of DESNZs decarbonisation of heat roadmap. The project will discover and assess additional technology options where alternative solutions might be more costly or difficult to deliver; this will include LAEP system benefits as well as localised CAPEX and OPEX costs.
GRN: NIA2_SGN0046
Period: 01/09/2024 to 31/05/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project aims to develop an integrated solution for the processes of characterising, settling, and billing gas in a multi-gas energy system ahead of the introduction of green gases such as hydrogen and unpropanated biomethane to help decarbonise the UKs gas grid.Beginning with market research, existing methodologies used in global networks with varying calorific values will be assessed. Using this information as a baseline, a tailored modelling solution will be created to meet UK industry requirements. Afterwards, a comprehensive feasibility study will identify the most optimal modelled solutions which will be consolidated into a new flexible settlement and billing approach. A roadmap will outline necessary implementation changes. Lastly, the requirements for a 12-month demonstration will be assessed to inform the programmes next phases.
GRN: NPG_NIA_051
Period: 01/11/2024 to 31/12/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
GRN: NGET/SCADENT/SIFWholeSystem/Rd
Period: 01/08/2022 to 01/02/2023
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project addresses two key aims set out in the SIF Innovation Challenge:*Improve coordination between networks and other system participants: theproject achieves this through innovative technology to enable future gridreinforcement needs for heat, power, and transport while reducing the carbonimpact of electricity system.*Reduce duplication and excessive variation of products, processes orservices: the project achieves this through evaluating the costs and opportunitiesof repurposing existing infrastructure and/or assets -- such as existing cableroutes, tunnels and substations, leading to lower costs for upgradinginfrastructure.The network innovation involved is the innovative deployment of HighTemperature Superconductor (HTS) cable technology to increase networkcapacity on the GB electricity network. Full achievement of the projects aims willrequire technology innovation to drive down cost, deployment innovation to reduceEngineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) risk, and operation andmaintenance (O&M) innovation to allow continued support of the novel cabletechnology. We build on international innovative experience drawn from a numberof HTS projects are in operation worldwide. We aim to extend the experience athigher voltages (only four projects are at voltages higher than 80kV) and withlonger lengths of cable (the longest AC installation is 1200m long).The project has evolved during the discovery phase as follows:*The partners have a shared understanding of the maturity of HTS technology, therequirements for future development and the needed cost and risk reductionsteps.*A plan to mature the technical and commercial viability of HTS technologythrough demonstration a realistic field test environment has been established.*The challenges of developing HTS systems for the GB grid are better understoodand the Alpha phase plan has been adjusted to deal with them, including testingand modelling and additional expertise to reinforce some experience gaps withinthe project team.*An outline cost and benefit model has been produced, identifying the areas forlargest potential cost reductions.The project has engaged a range of key partners with the knowledge andexpertise to deliver the project and implement outcomes. These partners are:1.Transmission and distribution network owners: (NGET, WPD, SPEN, UKPN)driving the requirements for the technology and identifying operating conditionsand future use cases.2.HTS Technology providers: Nexans and AMSC, experts in superconductingcable systems, technology expertise on current costs and technology readinesslevel (TRL).3.Academic partners: Universities of Manchester and Strathclyde research andexpertise in power system technologies, modelling and simulation of solution.4.Project Management & Benefits Assessment: Frazer-Nash Consultancy,programme management, technology lifecycle development, and cost/benefitanalyses.5.*Generation Licence Holder:*rsted generation licence holder supporting thisproject.The partners combine knowledge and capabilities and a strong interest inadvancing HTS technology. NGET, SPEN, WPD, UKPN can deploy the solutionon the respective networks,rsted can develop understanding of the potentialuses of HTS technology in generation contexts, Nexans and AMSC can designand produce innovative HTS solutions to suit GB grid requirements, TheUniversities of Strathclyde and Manchester can expand their research in thearea of superconductor technology and its impacts on the grid, and Frazer-Nashensure the capabilities of the supporting consultancy ecosystem.The proposed solution addresses the challenges held by its potential users: NGETand other network operators (TOs and DNOs). These users benefit from a widerrange of options to enable future grid reinforcement, including the replacement ofexisting assets reaching the end of life. Consumers benefit from faster progresstowards a net-zero electricity system, experience reduced disruption in upgradingnetwork assets and will be supplied by a more resilient and sustainable network.
GRN: NGET/SCOHL/SIFIESRR/Rd2_Discov
Period: 01/04/2023 to 01/07/2023
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project aims to assess the potential for implementing novel high-temperature superconductor (HTS) technology on National Grids overhead line (OHL) assets. Meeting Net Zero goals requires21.7 billion for 94 onshore network reinforcement projects by 2030, with additional build-out by 2050 (NOA 2021/22 Refresh). However, the required pace of network expansion is unprecedented and regulatory processes and public resistance can slow deployment, especially for new OHL routes which have high visual impact.Overhead superconducting technology could improve system robustness by increasing the power transfer capability of existing transmission corridors, reducing network constraints and allowing for significantly increased flexibility in our energy mix and ability to meet demand from all available generation sources. The ability to rebuild or add lines within existing corridors and transmit more power in smaller corridors shortens the time to construct and energize new transmission capacity. Expediting the upgrading and expansion of the network in this way offers greater certainty about connection timeframes and development costs and quickens our ability to cut carbon emissions through the ability to connect more renewable generation and limit its curtailment due to network constraints. The resulting guarantee of the unconstrained availability of generated power significantly increases network resilience and robustness.SCOHLs are currently at TRL 4 as the novel cryogenic cooling system with superconducting conductors have been operated as a raised overhead system in a lab environment and detailed simulation models of the system and its components have been verified. A SIF-funded project provides an opportunity to increase this TRL; in the discovery phase, an appropriate methodology for increasing the TRL will be developed through scanning for potential applications on NGETs assets, investigating technical limitations and financial benefits and identifying an adoption into BAU roadmap. The alpha and beta phases will subsequently progress towards to use of prototype demonstrators at live testing sites.Project partners:*National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) as a transmission network owner and transmission licensee with access to required testing facilities and OHL assets*VEIR as the developers of the cooling technology that will enable SCOHL rollout*University of Strathclyde as experts in power system analysisHTS-enabled SCOHLs could be used by TNOs and DNOs across GB and potentially beyond. This project will identify the specific benefits and abilities of SCOHLs, where they can be used successfully, and their operational limitations so that users can be guided on the optimal route for adoption into BAU.
GRN: NIA_WWU_2_71
Period: 01/12/2024 to 30/09/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
GRN: NIA_ENWL_040
Period: 01/11/2024 to 31/08/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
Until recently, voltage regulation technology was not mature for pole mounted distribution transformers meaning that customers connected to them could not take advantage of the benefits of Conservative Voltage Reduction (CVR) as proven on ground mounted transformers as part of the Second Tier project, Smart Street.Pole mounted voltage regulation technology has now matured and this project will conduct desktop analysis to determine whether the application of CVR is cost beneficial for overhead networks including an assessment of the available voltage regulation equipment. If benefits can be realised, Smart Street Rural will scope a testing methodology for a small-scale network trial to be carried out in a potential future project.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0069
Period: 01/09/2024 to 31/03/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
National Grid (NG) manages many oil containing assets and oil storage is susceptible to leakages. The use of alternative insulating fluids in transformers has been studied by NG and synthetic esters are now considered where enhanced fire safety and a more environmentally friendly solution is required. NG currently uses Bund Water Control Units (BWCU) and oil separators to capture oil, both of which require maintenance and are less effective to ester and emulsified mixtures. However, the existing oil capturing techniques used for mineral oil are not 100% effective with newer alternatives. This project looks at alternative oil capturing and bioremediation techniques with or without existing oil interceptors, with respect to the potential environmental implications based on typical pollution scenarios at NG sites.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0085
Period: 01/03/2024 to 31/03/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
Track to Zero aims to assess the impact of 100% railway electrification on the transmission network across England and Wales, identifying existing and future congestion points. A key focus is exploring a novel battery storage solution to support railway electrification, potentially deferring or reducing the need for traditional railway feeder stations. By integrating energy storage, the project will evaluate grid flexibility, cost implications and network efficiency. A comparative cost analysis will be conducted, examining electrification costs before and after battery deployment. Findings will provide insights into grid constraints, cost savings and decarbonisation pathways, supporting efficient railway electrification while minimizing network stress. The learnings will inform all Network Licensees across GB as well as Network Rail on optimal investment strategies for a sustainable rail network.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0066
Period: 01/08/2024 to 31/05/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The current energy transition will require the electrification of many energy demand sources, along with a corresponding increase in low-carbon electricity generation. Estimates indicate that by 2030 the UK needs to build 5x as much new electricity transmission infrastructure as has been built in the past 30 years. High Temperature Superconductor (HTS) technology is not currently being used in HV networks across the UK. This project will seek to evaluate the feasibility of HTS technology by defining short-term and long-term use cases for overhead line (OHL) and cable systems as well as delivering a detailed plan for route to business as usual for HTS deployment.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0080
Period: 01/12/2024 to 31/03/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
VICAP 3 bar by bar will build on the success of VICAP 2. In VICAP 2, a refined artificial intelligence (AI) model was able to assess images of steel tower and automatically grade the level of corrosion of the steelwork. As part of the asset management practice, climbing surveys are carried out to getbar by bar (BB) assessments of corrosion on steelwork towers and to measure the extent of wear on fittings amongst other things. The aim of VICAP 3 is to develop algorithms and data collection methods which enable BB assessments and fittings wear measurements to be done using drone collected images. The expected benefits will be in assessment cost reduction and efficiencies.
02/04/2025
30 new projects added
GRN: NIA_UKPN0103
Period: 01/11/2024 to 30/11/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
UK Power Networks is working to deliver support at scale to vulnerable consumers at risk of being left behind by the energy system transition. This project will develop a new digital tool that aims to utilise cutting edge technologies such as machine learning and artificial intelligence to enable tailored support to be effectively delivered to vulnerable consumers at scale. By working closely with current service delivery partners, the aim is to build a tool that supports existing services while also providing new options for consumers that would prefer to self-serve using digital channels.
GRN: ENA_10145998
Period: 01/02/2025 to 01/02/2027
Funding Source: Ofgem
As DNOs develop their distribution system operator functions, the current annualprocess used to forecast load at extra-high-voltage/high-voltage needs to becomeincreasingly granular, at the monthly, weekly, daily and hourly level, to supportflexibility dispatch and defer or avoid reinforcement. Moreover, the increasingprevalence of low-voltage monitoring data enables new use cases to supportnetwork planning and the extension of flexibility markets at ED3. The ArtificialForecasting project addresses these unmet needs by building innovative AIsolutions to expand load forecasting capability at primary (EHV-HV) andsecondary (HV-LV) substations, optimising flexibility procurement and enablingDSO functions across the sector.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0056
Period: 01/03/2025 to 30/09/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project aims to develop an advanced Dynamic System Rating (DSR) solution that maximises the use of the existing transmission network, allowing circuits to operate closer to their true capacity without compromising system stability. The proposed DSR solution integrates with regional autonomous control to alleviate network congestion and enhance power transfer capability. Once validated in a laboratory environment, the system will be prepared for hardware deployment. This technology will reduce the need for extensive network reinforcement, providing cost savings to consumers and facilitating the efficient integration of renewables. Ultimately, it will enhance grid controllability and flexibility, supporting the transition to a Net Zero-carbon energy system.
GRN: NIA_UKPN0102
Period: 01/09/2024 to 28/02/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
Blue Light aims to allow DNOs to enable the decarbonisation of the emergency services in a more efficient and collaborative way. The project intends to streamline the connections process and enhance visibility of connection requirements for emergency services and the DNO, and support network planning and reinforcement. The project will involve research and engagement with emergency services followed by the design and development of a solution. This self-serve solution will allow them to input electrification plans and offer information, including headroom against connection capacity now and over time, and provide optimisation options to reduce costs and ensure resilience. This will provide the DNO with a solution to help emergency services decarbonise efficiently and foster collaboration with stakeholders who have not been traditional customers of connections.
GRN: NIA_NIA_037
Period: 01/11/2024 to 30/06/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
DeltaDetect aim is to leverage the capability of existing LV monitoring devices at secondary substations and extend their functionality to monitor HV underground networks. To do this, existing LV monitoring will be adapted, and an innovative algorithm will be developed to reverse engineer signals from LV side of the transformer onto the HV network. By monitoring critical parameters, the system aims to identify abnormal conditions indicative of faults, such as insulation breakdown or equipment malfunction allowing for faults to be proactively detected, located, and repaired reducing downtime and leading to improved reliability and customer satisfaction.
GRN: NPG_NIA_ 49
Period: 01/09/2024 to 31/10/2024
Funding Source: Ofgem
Following a major gas outage incident in the Stannington area of Sheffield, Northern Powergrid gained permission from DESNZ to collect disaggregated consumption data from smart meters located in this area. This proposal is to undertake a data modelling exercise to compare the disaggregated and aggregated consumption data, ElectraLink data, registers of embedded generation and known locations of electric vehicles to train machine learning models and prediction algorithms.The analysis will cover 14 months of consumption data collected for 1500 smart meters within the Stannington suburb of Sheffield with a time period from November 2022 to the end December 2023. The proposal will look at identifying LCTs on disaggregated smart meter data and use that to investigate the possibility of identifying LCTs on aggregated data.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0071
Period: 01/08/2024 to 31/08/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
National Grid (NG) has commitments to NGET Environmental Action Plan to reduce emissions and uses carbon interface tool (CIT) for embodied carbon calculation. NG needs to move to Whole life carbon assessments to align to best practice and PAS2080. Being an Excel-based, CIT is prone to human errors, and it is challenging to update over long-term projects. This project aims to develop the UKs 1st Transmissions whole life carbon digital (DgWLCA) tool allowing NG to measure and manage carbon reduction towards our targets. Digital tool will retain use of existing databases and will be updated annually. We selected an existing Mott McDonald developed tool as a baseline and intend to do bespoke innovative modifications like AI low carbon optimization and intuitive energy-specific onboarding.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0078
Period: 01/01/2025 to 30/04/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
n alignment with National Grid Electricity Transmissions (NGETs) objectives of achieving net-zero construction, we aim to evaluate the suitability of polymer concretes as a sustainable alternative to traditional concrete for NGETs construction operations, appraise their readiness for construction trials, and support NGET in undertaking some of the required trials to demonstrate these materials suitability. Earth Friendly Concrete (EFC) has been utilised on the LPT2 (London Power Tunnels 2) project in several areas, but mainly for bulk fill or in temporary works. To further this concrete technology and use EFC more extensively, HMJV in conjunction with its Supply Chain Partners will conduct trials to establish the potential for use in Precast Segmental Lining Elements for the benefit of future projects as part of the LPT legacy.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0075
Period: 01/01/2025 to 30/06/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The expanding and interconnected electricity network poses challenges for National Grid Electricity Transmission (NGET) in monitoring and assessing network resilience. Currently, tracking resilience involves multiple metrics on separate Power BI pages, making it difficult to view overall resilience and hindering timely decision-making during storms or major events. This fragmented approach can lead to suboptimal maintenance and repair decisions. To address these challenges, the proposed project aims to incorporates probabilistic risk analysis to further improve resilience assessments, enhance decision-making accuracy using risk scores, and identify weak areas in the network. Additionally, simplify monitoring through a holistic map view. Ultimately, the project seeks to improve network resilience by streamlining risk identification and establishing minimum resilience levels for substations. FRAME II will be the full product release following the Minimum Viable Project phase in FRAME I.
GRN: NIA2_SGN0069
Period: 01/08/2024 to 30/09/2024
Funding Source: Ofgem
The project will build on initial work carried by SGN that looks at the future priorities for innovation across scenarios and themes related to the energy transition. Whilst FES looks at likely consumption etc. it doesnt specifically look at where innovation should be prioritised to enable the transition from a whole-systems perspective and does not specifically look at the roll a gas network could play in these future scenarios.
GRN: NIA2_SGN0067
Period: 01/10/2024 to 31/01/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The project aims to facilitate energy system transition through the development and demonstration (develop new learning, design and fabricate) a prototype nitrogen purging trailer (rig) and trainable work instructions allowing for indirect purging operations for use with 100% hydrogen, specifically for the H100 Fife Hydrogen Gas Distribution Network. Current Industry standards recommend indirect purging of gas systems for a range of situations to avoid the potential for a temporary flammable atmosphere to develop within pipework. Whilst there are ongoing projects to provide further evidence for direct purging in a 100% Hydrogen Network, there is no guarantee that key stakeholders will sign off direct purging evidence for our H100 Distribution operations. As a result of this SGN needs to ensure H100 Distribution Network system readiness with a deployable solution for indirect purging before the go-live date.
GRN: NIA2_SGN0066
Period: 01/06/2024 to 31/10/2024
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project aims to conduct a quantitative risk assessment (QRA) to identify, quantify, and mitigate risks associated with direct and indirect purging operations from 32mm to 250mm diameter Polyethylene (PE) pipelines on the H100 Fife Neighbourhood Distribution Network. Current industry practice recommends indirect purging of Hydrogen gas systems in various situations to prevent the potential development of a temporary flammable atmosphere within the pipework. However, indirect purging is a non-routine operation (NRO) for most Gas Distribution Networks (GDNs). Indirect purging carries risks such as nitrogen sourcing and transportation challenges, delivery competencies, over-pressurization, and asphyxiation, which are not present during direct purging. Therefore, it is essential to understand the overall difference in risk between direct and indirect purging for hydrogen systems.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0065
Period: 01/07/2024 to 31/01/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
To ensure energy systems of the future continue to be resilient to evolving threats, it is important we develop increasingly secure control systems. Working with vendors, the goal is to innovate and develop efficient, deliverable, and secure protection and control systems capable of mitigating advanced cyber threats using secure by design practices. Lessons learned from this innovation project will enable National Grid to make decisions on the proportionality and appropriateness of security controls for both new and existing sites. This must be achieved while still maintaining the current user experience and meeting control/protection functionality specifications, all in a system designed to match the lifecycle of current systems of approximately 20 years.
GRN: NIA_CAD0102
Period: 01/10/2024 to 31/10/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
Following the successful completion of Phase 1 in 2023, the gas networks have engaged with KPMG to design the market frameworks modifications necessary to facilitate hydrogen blending, and to develop a full operational implementation plan.Running from mid-2024 for a period of twelve-months, the Phase 2A project will define how ahydrogen blend-ready network will operate, and prepare a full set of detailed, implementation plans. Key decisions are required across the full range of market frameworks, as well as a clear view of the operational impacts from the ongoing safety assessment between HyDeploy and the HSE.Mobilisation will begin in Summer 2024, whilst the main design stage will run for 8 months from September to April 2025, with project completion planned for June 2025.
GRN: NIA2_SGN0070
Period: 01/09/2024 to 31/03/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
The Internal Sharp Defect Burst Testing in Hydrogen project will build upon the pipeline defect burst pressure testing programme completed as part of the SGN LTS Futures project. Additional burst testing will provide a more comprehensive understanding of the effect of hydrogen gas on internal sharp pipeline defects. These tests will evaluate the vessel conditioning regime and test defects of different dimensions by examining the effect of preheating, repeatability of results and overpressure at the point of defect failure.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0067
Period: 01/07/2024 to 31/01/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
NGET are collaborating with leading innovators to assess how future sea level rise, increased coastal storm activity and salt marsh encroachment will affect the vulnerability of NGET assets. By bringing together expertise in flood and erosion monitoring and forecasting, the project will establish where or what assets are at risk and how or when action is likely to be required, informing risk mitigation approaches and strategies. This major advancement will be achieved through the combination of market-leading sensors, and state-of-the-art asset-scale numerical coastal flooding and erosion models to deliver actionable insights to NGETs existing geographic information system (GIS) and other applicable platforms. The project will assess climate change future risk, inform damage costs estimation, and related cost-benefit analysis of potential mitigation measures and strategies.?
GRN: NIA_UKPN0105
Period: 01/01/2025 to 31/12/2027
Funding Source: Ofgem
The UK telephone network will soon shift away from copper cabling to a fibre optic based network, reliant on electricity supply. This means that during a network outage, vulnerable customers would be unable to call for help.This project will develop an existing Smart-UPS to deliver and facilitate health-related services to customers in vulnerable situations by enabling multi-day Fibre to the Premises (FTTP) power for phones in the case of prolonged power loss.A satellite phone will also be developed for remote communities to provide connectivity to the DNO in case of a complete loss of communication in an area. This will provide the option to support individual PSR customers or communities as appropriate to their needs in the event of an outage.
GRN: NIA_ENWL_039
Period: 01/02/2025 to 31/08/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
The energy system transition will have the greatest impact on LV demand and capacity due to the mass adoption of LCTs. Understanding this impact on demand, available capacity and investment required requires granular long term forecasting for LV feeders.LV Futures will analyse data from recently deployed LV monitoring and smart meters along with trends on LCT uptake to produce power flow and feeder load allocation for LV feeders. The outputs of this analysis will provide relevant information to inform interventions such as reinforcement or flexible services requirements.
GRN: NIA_ENWL_036
Period: 01/05/2024 to 31/12/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
As we transition to net zero, the level and volatility of demands across the network will increase, with the greatest impact expected on the LV network particularly, underground cables. Without intervention, this increase in demand will increase the degradation rate of LV cables, causing higher failure rates.LV Predict researched physical models for determining the temperature within LV cables, the stress cycles and physical damage cables sustained and constructed statistical modelling methods to predict this damage using commonly held LV data. LV Predict II will build on this work and will refine and extend the probabilistic framework by improving the skill and reliability of the model, expanding the model to other network assets, and applying the model in decision making.
GRN: NIA_CAD0106
Period: 01/07/2024 to 30/04/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
GDNs currently have a licence condition to provide fan heaters & hot plates to customers in vulnerable situations during a gas outage to stay warm, heat water & food. However, some customers will not be able transfer the hot water to a bowl or sink to be able to wash or clean with.Haydales graphene ink-based heaters offer a potential low power usage solution to heat water in domestic premises when the gas supply is interrupted and can be easily adapted into different designs to deliver bespoke solutions for a wide range of customer requirements, so is of interest to Cadent and their challenge of providing hot water to their customers in vulnerable situations when their gas supply is interrupted.Following on from Phase 1 of the project (NIA_CAD_0077) Haydale will develop the prototypes created and take the project through to optimisation in electronics, weight, and customer experience.
GRN: NIA_CAD0110
Period: 01/11/2024 to 31/07/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
Power outages are a regular occurrence in Great Britian with average annual customer minutes lost in Great Britain range between 31.57 minutes 51.4 minutes depending on the Distribution Network Operator License Area (Statista, 2021). This is of course not evenly distributed with outages varying from a few minutes up to more than a week in more extreme circumstances. Similarly, single outages can affect a single property or several thousand properties depending on the cause.This project will aim to develop a low-cost, user-friendly solution, whereby customers in vulnerable situations will still be able to use their gas heated boiler, as well as LPG and oil heated boilers, in the event of a power outage.
GRN: NIA_CAD0109
Period: 01/11/2024 to 31/03/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project will produce a Safety Assessment report to cover a non-distributed gas Great Britain energy system and usage scenario. This work builds on previous work as part of the GB QRA project (NIA_CAD0096) where the risk across Great Britain was quantified for hydrogen distribution and utilisation in the network, in houses, flats, and non-domestic buildings. The previously modelled scenarios included the application, or increase in application, of gas alternative solutions for cooking and heating. These could be electrical and other hydrocarbon fuel appliances. This project seeks to identify and qualify any risks introduced as a result of these gas alternative solutions on a national and individual scale.
GRN: NIA_WWU_02_25
Period: 01/09/2024 to 28/02/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
A variety of work has been undertaken to date to understand the readiness of I&C customers, but little work has been done to understand the strategic impact which this may have on how the gas networks should plan for the delivery of hydrogen (including a hydrogen blend) to domestic customers whilst maintaining sufficient network resilience for I&C users.We therefore need to be able to undertake network planning for the delivery of hydrogen to domestic customers, whilst considering site sensitivity and any behind the meter investment required by I&C customers to ensure hydrogen readiness.This project will inform network planning for the delivery of hydrogen to domestic customers, whilst considering site sensitivity and any behind the meter investment required by I&C customers to ensure hydrogen readiness.
GRN: NIA_CAD0107
Period: 01/07/2024 to 31/10/2024
Funding Source: Ofgem
To create the first, GT led, strategic roadmap for a1 stop shop that brings future energy, including hydrogen awareness and education into schools, colleges, universities, and other education providers and will define a simple, clear, creative communication of the offerings and attract engagement from stakeholders.a. respond to requests from schools and colleges on hydrogen and green energy,b. Demonstrates the roles of future gaseous fuels in achieving net zeroc.Compliments other green energy education initiativesWe believe this roadmap is the most cost effective way to develop a consistent and accessible approach in a way that will increase engagement with these fuels, attract people into net zero economy, and grow advocacy for green gaseous fuels.
GRN: NPG_NIA_052
Period: 01/09/2024 to 30/06/2026
Funding Source: Ofgem
This collaborative project will look to directly address the desire to support customers in vulnerable situations by supporting and improving warm space infrastructure within the Yorkshire and North East regions of England. These regions have been selected based upon the geographical coverage of the associated Network Partnerships licence areas.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0076
Period: 01/11/2024 to 31/05/2027
Funding Source: Ofgem
This project aims to enhance cable circuit ampacity by investigating the potential of thermosyphon systems for improved heat transfer. Through a literature review, suitable thermosyphon working fluids and thermal modelling methodologies will be identified. An experimental apparatus will be designed to assess heat transfer in cable systems using thermosyphons, and simulations will validate the design. The project will also examine the impact of thermal aging on thermosyphon fluids and compare measured values with datasheet information. Recommendations will be provided to National Grid, including practical considerations and potential challenges for thermosyphon system installation.
GRN: NIA_WWU_02_35
Period: 01/09/2024 to 30/04/2025
Funding Source: Ofgem
To maintain continuous operation, data centres need a dependable, uninterrupted flow of electricity to power servers, supporting equipment and to provide cooling. At present this electricity is primarily sourced from the local electrical grid with data centre operators using diverse energy sources such as diesel generators to provide backup power. Several data centres are considering onsite power generation using natural gas or hydrogen in an effort to ensure electricity supply and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
GRN: NIA2_NGET0077
Period: 01/01/2025 to 31/01/2027
Funding Source: Ofgem
Although substantial studies have been performed on overhead line and cable, there is far fewer studies on the potential risk posed to interfaces within cable joints for high voltage (HV) cable systems.There are significant cost and time associated with any cable repair, with the situation likely to worsen with an increasing number of cable installations and an ageing fleet of cable assets. The availability of aUniversal Joint would enable a package to be made available for a speedy cable repair solution that can promptly re-establish service in the event of a cable fault, this emergency return to service solution would greatly improve resilience of a fast-changing electricity infrastructure.
