As GB transitions towards a net-zero energy system, an integrated, multi-vector approach across electricity, gas, heat, and transport is essential to optimise system-wide decarbonisation. The growing interdependencies between these vectors require advanced optimisation frameworks that provide a holistic view of energy flows, enhance system resilience, and support coordinated infrastructure investment. By integrating multiple energy carriers, multi-vector systems can improve energy efficiency, reduce system costs, and unlock innovative decarbonisation pathways that would not be feasible under siloed approaches.
Current energy system planning methods often focus on individual vectors in isolation, limiting the ability to leverage synergies between electricity, green gases (including green hydrogen) and heat networks. Without a whole system perspective, infrastructure investments may be suboptimal, and opportunities for flexibility and cost savings across vectors may be missed. This approach is also important to address the future configuration and operation of the gas network. Addressing these challenges requires innovative system modelling, and investment strategies that reflect the full value of multi-vector integration in the future energy system.
Project proposals within the scope of this challenge include:
- Whole-system modelling and scenario analysis: Develop advanced modelling tools to optimise multi-vector energy configurations, assessing future gas grid roles, infrastructure needs, and long-term decarbonisation pathways.
- Development and demonstration of high-impact multi-vector configurations: Design, develop, and trial scalable multi-vector energy solutions, integrating gas-electricity and other vector coordination in real-world demonstrations.
This workshop will bring together innovators, industry experts, network professionals, and other relevant stakeholders in a collaborative environment to share insights and ideate approaches to address the challenges and barriers to developing a multi-vector optimisation approach.
Please join us to contribute to the conversation, meet other inspiring innovators, and explore collaboration opportunities. The workshop aims to broker relationships and generate ideas that could be further developed into SIF proposals.
About the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund
The Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund was established in 2021, as a programme with funding of £450m+ over five years, to drive innovation and transformation in energy networks. By the end of 2024, the programme has committed over £270m in total funding across 234 projects in different stages of development (Discovery, Alpha, Beta).
Ofgem and Innovate UK recently launched Round 5 of the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to address strategic energy sector needs. For more information, please visit the SIF website here: Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) | Ofgem.
Who is this workshop for?
- Energy networks and network planners
- Policy & Regulatory specialists
- Technology providers & innovators
Please note that the capacity for the workshop is limited, and attendance will be confirmed after registration. A document with a detailed agenda and further background on the challenge will be sent to participants ahead of the event.
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Keywords
Ofgem, Strategic Innovation Fund, Energy, Energy Networks, Energy Systems, Innovation, Energy transition, Workshop, Collaboration
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Disclaimers
Please use your work email address to register so we can contact you about Carbon Trust-managed events in a GDPR compliant way.
This event is hosted by the Carbon Trust on behalf of Innovate UK in support of Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) Round 5 Ideation Activity. By submitting this event registration form, you are agreeing for your personal data to be shared with the Carbon Trust and Innovate UK for the purpose of registering you for this event and contacting you regarding ideation workshops and other support activities.
Your personal data will be held in accordance with the data protection policies of Innovate UK and the Carbon Trust. Innovate UK will be the data controller for personal data submitted through this form and Carbon Trust will be its data processor.
For more details, Innovate UK’s Privacy Policy and UK Research and Innovation's Privacy Policy are accessible below:
https://www.ukri.org/publications/innovate-uk-privacy-notice-and-information-management-policy/
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Carbon Trust’s Privacy Notice is accessible here: https://www.carbontrust.com/privacy
This workshop will be run on Microsoft Teams. Participant details such as names may be visible to all attendees. By registering for this event, you are happy for your details to be visible.
If you have any questions, concerns or require further clarification, please contact us via SIF_Ofgem@iuk.ukri.org.
