SSEN Distribution has successfully secured funding from the latest round of Ofgem's Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), with three pioneering innovation projects each being awarded just under £500,000.

The total funding injection of nearly £1.5 million will allow the three projects—FastTrack, 3D-AR, and I-LAD—to progress to the second 'Alpha' stage of development.

The three projects employ leading-edge technology to achieve significant improvements in the safety, value, and efficiency of the electricity network.

• The Successful Projects in Detail

I-LAD (Innovating Losses Analysis and Detection)

The I-LAD project is focused on reducing electricity losses caused by theft or accounting inaccuracies—issues established in the initial Discovery phase as being both costly (with the impact borne by bill-payers) and raising serious safety concerns.

During the Alpha phase, I-LAD will revolutionise outdated loss-tracking methods by developing smart detection technology and establishing better ways of data-sharing. The resulting solutions will be designed to be scalable and replicable to deliver maximum benefits across the industry. Project partners include Frontier Economics, CGI, ScottishPower Energy Retail, and ScottishPower Electricity North West.

• FastTrack (AI-Powered Network Simulation)

FastTrack is an AI-powered solution designed to simulate the effect that new connection requests would have on critical network equipment, such as primary substations and Grid Supply Points.

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By considering network capacity, existing load levels, and relevant external factors, the system will provide a consolidated view of future demand. These insights will help network planners make optimal decisions regarding future network build-out and the appropriate Access Products to offer to customers seeking a connection. The Alpha phase will focus on establishing the business value and technical feasibility of the core features, with the aim of having a fully-deployed product ready after a potential future Beta phase. Project partner is Faculty.

• 3D-AR (Dynamic Data-Driven Asset Rating)

The 3D-AR project will use smart technology to maximise the efficient use of existing networks. Specifically, it employs ‘Dynamic Rating’ to provide real-time assessments of power line capacity.

These real-time insights allow the lines to be operated closer to their full potential while safely accounting for variables like temperature and weather conditions. The Alpha funding will allow the team to assess how the network can be more easily and widely assessed. This innovation could provide more capacity for customers in applicable areas and offers an alternative means of meeting rapidly growing demand, complementing both capital infrastructure investment and Distribution System Operations (DSO) functions. Project partners are SIA Partners UK PLC and Imperial College London.

• Commitment to Innovation

The successful application for the SIF Alpha phase funding—which is delivered by Ofgem in partnership with Innovate UK—was welcomed by Frank Clifton, Innovation Manager at SSEN Distribution.

Mr Clifton said: "These three successful projects all have one key thing in common; they employ the smartest, most leading-edge technology in the pursuit of making real-world improvements to the safety, value, and the efficiency of the electricity system we all depend on. At SSEN Distribution, we’re enthusiastic about innovating, but we’re equally committed to doing so with a clear purpose, to ensure the ideas we develop provide the basis for the delivery of social value and real-world benefits for our customers and communities. We’re grateful to Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund for recognising this ethos in its approval of our applications, and along with the excellent support and insights from our various project partners, we recommit ourselves once again to the further development of these viable, practical, and innovative solutions."