The UK’s second subsidy-free solar farm, and the first by a local authority using battery storage, has been completed by West Sussex County Council. Westhampnett solar farm near Chichester is the council’s second solar farm, built on a closed landfill next…
News
Supply chain says onshore wind CfDs would give £1.6B ‘consumer payback’
by New Power •
Fourteen major renewable energy companies have written a joint letter to Greg Clark, secretary of state at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, asking him to give onshore wind an opportunity to take part in Contracts for Difference auctions. Developers ScottishPower Renewables, SSE,…
Perspective
OPINION: Post-Brexit, the UK must support new technologies that have potential global value
by New Power •
Andrew Scott, chief executive of Orbital Marine Power (previously Scotrenewables) says revenue support for the UK’s tidal energy sector would be a cost-effective way of growing a global business As the dust settles on the Swansea Bay Tidal Lagoon rejection…
News
National Grid Gas signals new products to improve system operability
by New Power •
National Grid Gas (NGG) has said it will consider introducing new products – and being stricter on users – to manage growing operability issues. NGG has to meet strict pressure limits on the National Transmission System and that is now…
Flash update
Ofgem seeks members for group to help deliver competition in networks
by New Power •
Ofgem wants to recruit around a dozen senior level participants to join an industry group that will help drive competition in extending electricity transmission networks. The group’s first job will be to provide advice and guidance on the development and…
Editor's blog
Should we underwrite new gas storage? Think about the ‘smart, flexible’ system plan first
by New Power •
Once again gas suppliers are arguing that consumers should underwrite more gas storage for Great Britain. The argument is that GB ‘nearly’ ran out of gas during the ‘Beast from the East’, and the BEIS Select Committee has duly announced…
News
UKPN to trial Faraday Grid self-balancing network
by New Power •
Faraday Grid is to partner with UK Power Networks to trial its autonomous, self-balancing network, which can be installed within an existing electricity grid. Comprising a network of independent Faraday Exchangers, it is designed to automatically smooth the intermittency and…
Perspective
OPINION: RIIO 2 is the time to do some serious thinking on heat and decarbonisation
by New Power •
Bridget Woodman and Richard Lowes consider the decarbonisation of the UK’s heat sector – and the lack of political commitment to achieve it. Extensive, or even complete, decarbonisation of the heat sector is vital if the UK is to meet…
News
Comment by 26 October: how should the new Electricity System Operator be funded and incentivised?
by New Power •
National Grid’s Electricity System Operator (ESO) is seeking comment on its funding model for the future. The ESO is being spun out of National Grid and will have a separate regulatory framework. Unlike the remaining pipes and wires business, the…