Welcome to the Strategic Innovation Fund Discovery Phase ‘Show and Tells.’ These online events are sharing the learning from the first round of cutting-edge innovation projects that have secured funding as part of a new £450m fund to transform energy networks in the race to net zero.

The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) is an Ofgem programme managed in partnership with Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). The SIF aims to fund network innovation that will contribute to achieving Net Zero rapidly and at lowest cost to consumers, and help transform the UK into the ‘Silicon Valley’ of energy, making it the best place for high-potential businesses to grow and scale in the energy market.

Making the changes we need in our energy networks is a major challenge, requiring collaboration – a ‘giant leap together.’ Through publishing challenges which are responsive to consumer needs, the SIF brings together Network companies and third-party innovators, supporting projects towards commercialisation.

The webinars focus on findings from the first ‘Discovery’ phase of the funded projects.

The events will enable the Network companies and their partners to share their knowledge, findings and learnings from the 8-week feasibility study as well as their ambitions and plans; and consider how their discoveries can be taken forward into the next ‘Alpha’ phase of the SIF.

There are 7 webinars available to sign up to:

1. Zero Emission Transport (Thursday 19 May 09:00-11:45)

2. Heat (Thursday 19 May 13:00-15:30)

3. Data and Digitalisation: Digital Twin Projects (Friday 20 May 9.00-11.40)

4. Data and Digitalisation: Gas network asset monitoring and analysis Projects (this one)

5. Data and Digitalisation: Weather and predictive analytics Projects (Monday 23 May 09.00- 11:30)

6. Whole System Integration: New technology development for Renewable Energy integration and Circular economy for resource efficiency (Monday 23 May 09:00 – 11:15)

7. Whole System Integration: Increasing flexibility sources in energy system and Hydrogen deployment and integration (Monday 23 May 13:00 – 15:30)

Please visit the other Eventbrite registration pages to register for the other webinars.

This is the fourth in a series of 'Show and Tell' webinars from the Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Discovery phase, covering the gas network asset monitoring and analysis projects.

As the move towards a net zero energy system accelerates, network customers and consumers will require simplified and accessible digital products, processes and services that can improve their user experience. Data and digital initiatives are already beginning to show the potential to improve the efficiency of energy networks whilst making it easier for third parties to interact with and innovate for the energy system. Digitalisation of energy network activities will contribute to better coordination, planning and network optimisation.

You will hear from SIF projects which are investigating new digital products and services such as enhancing network fault data through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning.