Issue link: https://read.utilityweek.co.uk/i/665572
NETWORK / 38 / APRIL 2016 OUTPUT APRIL "While there are advances that we can be making in building effi ciency, the great majority of the housing stock that we will have in 2050 is already built." GARETH JONES, DIRECTOR, FAIRHEAT NETWORKS.ONLINE "The Grand Unifi ed Scheme continually evaluates and reassesses network conditions, making it the ideal solution for dealing with the more complex, dynamic electricity networks of the future." COLIN HENRY, HEAD OF DIGITAL GRID SYSTEMS, ENERGY MANAGEMENT DIVISION, SIEMENS UK MORE ON P30 "Grid-connected microgrids can be seamlessly 'islanded' from the main grid when needed, for example during periods of peak power grid usage, or during a primary power grid failure. " DAVID HUGHES, MANAGING DIRECTOR, ABB POWER GRIDS UK MORE ON P23 In recent research into UK utilities' approaches to innovation, senior network contributors admitted that there is scope for more collaboration between network companies, between energy vectors and with supply chain partners. There was a strong feeling that any changes Ofgem is to make to governance should target these barriers to collaboration. Download the report at utilityweek.co.uk #1 event Network's fi rst conference, on the topic of asset intelligence, will take place in November To see your opinion or insight highlighted in Output, contact Helen Smith helensmith@fav-house.com Talk the talk Join us at Utility Week Live for The Conversation Live – a Network launch event. This debate and VIP networking session will take place on 18 May at the Birmingham NEC, 12.30-1.30pm. The topic under consideration is cyber- vulnerability versus the need for open data standards. utilityweeklive.co.uk Collaborate: REPORT INSIGHTS AT A GLANCE: INNOVATION IN UK UTILITIES: A STATE OF THE NATION REPORT In association with Download Innovation in UK Utilities: a state of the nation report at www.utilityweek.co.uk " Lack of investment is not seen as a barrier to innovation " Innovation funding mechanisms aren't supporting cross-vector innovation " Different regulatory approaches to incentivising innovation investment across water and energy have not led to significantly different levels of investment " Leadership support for innovation is strong " Collaborative innovation faces cultural and systemic challenges " Best practice sharing and benchmarking are underutilised as ways of improving innovation culture and governance In association with Do you believe your organisation invests enough in innovation? Do you feel that collaboration for innovation between your organisation and organisations outside of the utilities industry is: Do you feel innovation is embedded in the culture of your organisation? How successful would you say your organisation is at ensuring valuable innovations are adopted quickly into the business? EXTREMELY SUCCESSFUL SOMEWHAT SUCCESSFUL UNSUCCESSFUL VERY UNSUCCESSFUL 0% INNOVATION IN UK UTILITIES: A STATE OF THE NATION REPORT KEY FINDINGS "Will there be enough people with the right skills and experience to design, build and operate the new heat networks?" IAN MANDERS, INDEPENDENT CONSULTANT AND HEAT NETWORKS SPECIALIST MORE ON P13 the ideal solution for dealing with the more electricity networks DIGITAL GRID SYSTEMS, ENERGY MANAGEMENT DIVISION,