How many energy companies have a policy against the use of so-called ‘Open source’ software in their activities? Amanda Brock, chief executive of OpenUK, says it’s a common prohibition – but she suspects that a closer look will reveal that…
Longread
Analysis, interviews, thought leadership
Open up smart gas and electricity meter data or risk ‘flying blind’ into the energy transition: group on public interest calls for ‘bolder steps’
by New Power • • 2 Comments
It should be possible to use the data from millions of smart meters already installed in homes and small businesses to support public policy making and practice. But there are important gaps in making that possible – and perhaps the…
DIGITAL WEEK: suppliers told to complete smart meter rollout by mid 2025
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Recently Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) announced it will use ‘near real-time’ data to respond to power interruptions (see below). It said that a million of its customers now have smart meters and the Department for Business, Energy and…
INTERVIEW: Can Rebel Energy offer something new to energy customers?
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Are new energy companies offering something new to customers? Rebel Energy won over 700 investors in a crowdfinding round with that offer. Janet Wood spoke to its chief executive, Dan Bates and its chief commercial officer, Penelope Hope Rebel Energy…
Flexibility in Great Britain: what are the opportunities? Fast actors can gain most in the honeymoon period and district heat offers ‘a lot of value’
by New Power • • 0 Comments
New analysis considers GB’s ‘whole system’ energy future, with three heat scenarios, and finds ‘flexibility everywhere’ can save up to £17 billion annually. Janet Wood hears that in the short term providers can benefit from flexibility markets – but in…
Guidehouse: It’s time to rethink the offshore wind grid delivery model
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Izabela Kielichowska, associate director, Guidehouse, Brussels,says ambitious offshore energy growth plans are driving new thinking about energy system design in the UK The UK has been a leader in global and European offshore wind developments. In its 2020 Energy White Paper, the British…
Synchronous condensors: ready to roll out?
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Janet Wood looks at a grid stability option and asks whether it might prompt an addition to the power sector’s expanding suite of investment asset classes In the past, a gas turbine might have been thought more enticing to…
INTERVIEW: Mike Lockett, Uniper, talks about going carbon neutral by 2035
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Janet Wood talked to Mike Lockett, Uniper’s chief commercial officer, power, and UK country chairman, about how a fossil generator sets out to be carbon neutral in less than two decades A year ago Uniper announced a carbon neutral target…
European energy regulators say Covid experience opened a window into the future on digitalisation, decarbonisation, smart meters
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Covid has reinforced the value of digitalisation in energy systems, according to a first report on the pandemic’s effect on Europe’s national energy systems produced by the Council of European Energy Regulators (CEER). It said in national regulatory authorities (NRAs)…
INTERVIEW: Is electricity retail complicated? Farouk Alhassan says no: he wants to make it easy for suppliers and customers
by New Power • • 0 Comments
Janet Wood talks to Senapt’s Farouk Alhassan about dismantling preconceptions on electricity industry processes, changing the game on supplier platforms and his new ‘MyWatts’ website aimed at helping customers use their supply data Sometimes electricity industry members wonder why…