More than a dozen high profile innovation projects that support the ongoing decarbonisation of the UK’s heat and transport sectors have been given the green light after UK Power Networks secured funding from industry regulator Ofgem.

The latest round of energy industry regulator Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, has seen 13 UK Power Networks’ projects given the go-ahead, with funding to the value of more than £6.2m.

Among the initiatives, UK Power Networks has placed a special impetus on supporting communities most at risk of being left behind in the low-carbon transition. For example, Project Guidelight will seek to address the low adoption rates of time-of-use tariffs and digital technologies among low-income and vulnerable households, whereas Project SHIELD (Smart Heat and Intelligent Energy in Low-Income Districts) will look to deploy new methods for installing low carbon technologies, making the decarbonisation of heat and energy affordable and accessible for consumers in vulnerable circumstances.

Other projects include:

Connectrolyser: aiming to scale hydrogen electrolyser hub development, speeding up new connections and supporting the transition to Net Zero.
Heat Risers: An innovative heating project aiming to accelerate the decarbonisation of multi-occupancy buildings and reduce costs for all, using whole building solutions.
Park & Flex: Exploring the vehicle to grid capabilities in short, medium and long-stay carparks.
Full Circle: Aiming to make low carbon heating affordable for vulnerable and hard to reach customers by working with heat network developers, property developers and more to improve efficiency and cut costs.

Launched in 2021, the fund is expected to invest £450m by 2026. Delivered in partnership with Innovate UK, the SIF programme taps into the best of UK and international innovation and aims to align with other public innovation funding for the benefit of customers across the UK.

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