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SSEN Transmission has been awarded nearly £400k through Ofgem's Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to kickstart three collaborative innovation projects.
The projects will explore novel techniques to deliver a secure energy system for the future and accelerate connection times for bringing renewable generation onto the transmission network.
The SIF is an Ofgem programme managed in partnership with UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) and is designed to drive the innovation needed to transform gas and electricity networks for a low-carbon future. These projects are funded by network users and consumers under SIF.
SSEN Transmission's latest projects – REVISE, BluePrint and SYSMET – have been successful in securing funding from the £450 million SIF funding pot that is available through the RIIO-2 price control period for network companies. These projects have been developed in close collaboration with 9 partners including academic institutes, energy networks, and industry organisations.
The projects will run for three months as part of the initial Discovery phase, providing feasibility studies on innovative solutions that will inform the future development of the energy system. On completion of the Discovery phase, projects will have the opportunity to progress into the Alpha and then Beta phases following successful selection from Ofgem to develop proof-of-concept and demonstrator projects, respectively.
Since the fund was launched in 2021, SSEN Transmission has progressed six innovative projects through the SIF phases, focused on whole energy systems, net zero and the energy transition, and optimised assets and practices.
Alan Ritchie, Innovation Manager at SSEN Transmission, said: "We're thrilled to have secured the funding for three new projects in the latest Discovery round of the SIF competition. Innovation and collaboration are paramount to achieving the transition to a low-carbon economy. These projects are a great addition to our innovation portfolio, ensuring we are pushing the boundaries to deliver a safe and secure energy system built for future generations."
