Unblocking Networks: Local Optimisation, Consumers and Knowledge (UN:LOCK) was awarded funding through Round 3 of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) and is being delivered by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks, Regen and Environmental Project Support.

Project duration: March 2024 – May 2024

Project leads: Tamar Bourne, Head of Smart Energy, and Ellie Brundrett, Net Zero Project Manager

Background

The Isle of Wight has a significant resource for renewable energy generation and has made good progress in deploying assets, currently dominated by solar power generation. However, there is a limit to how much of this renewable electricity can be connected to the network due to the available capacity of the cables that connect the Isle of Wight to the mainland. The island’s electricity network has been constrained on generation for 10 years making it difficult for new generators to connect on a non-curtailable basis. In 2022 Regen was commissioned to undertake a detailed, accurate review of planned and aspirational growth of electricity demand, generation and storage across the Isle of Wight. There was consensus that the Isle of Wight is a good place to develop renewables and that grid constraints are preventing strong projects in a supportive local authority area from coming forward.

Unblocking Networks: Local Optimisation, Consumers and Knowledge (UN:LOCK)

While there is now a focus on installing an additional subsea cable to increase the available capacity, this could take 6-10 years to achieve due to planning, consenting and construction requirements. Project UN:LOCK is looking at ways in which the connection of new generation can be accelerated ahead of this network reinforcement. It is exploring opportunities to reliably increase on-island demand at the appropriate times to create additional capacity on the network and looking at using novel commercial arrangements, data and digital tools to maximise network capacity and enable the accelerated connection of generation. We spoke to a wide range of stakeholders with interest in developing renewable energy projects, as well as other key organisations interested in driving forward the net zero ambitions on the island, to discuss the emerging options in detail.

People on this project

Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson
Local net zero project manager
Alex delivers Regen's support of net zero at the local level, ensuring that place…

Regen supported National Grid Electricity Distribution to understand the priorities of National Grid’s customers and the potential market for the innovative Take Charge substation design.

Project duration: December 2023 – March 2024

The context: Take Charge

National Grid Electricity Distribution recently undertook a successful innovation project ‘Take Charge’, designing and installing a compact primary substation at Exeter Services to support Moto Services’ EV charging requirements. In the long term, there is the potential for standardised, modular and compact primary substations to deliver large amounts of capacity from the distribution networks.


The project

In support of this work, Regen carried out a select number of interviews on behalf of National Grid to understand the priorities of National Grid’s customers and the potential market for new substation designs. This customer engagement, building on Regen’s ongoing work to deliver National Grid’s Distribution Future Energy Scenarios, is supporting a wider project focused on rolling out and commercialising the innovative Take Charge substation.

We explored EV charging, heat networks, data centres and maritime decarbonisation, sharing the results of the work with National Grid in the form of an independent report.


Nationalgridlogo

Logo High Res Standard

People on this project

Ray Arrell
Ray Arrell
Associate director
Ray is part of the Regen leadership team, overseeing our work and strategic goals…
Tamar Bourne
Tamar Bourne
Head of innovation
Tamar is the head of innovation at Regen. She strives to be at the…
Ellie Brundrett
Ellie Brundrett
Net zero project manager
Since joining Regen in 2021, Ellie has been responsible for delivering some of our…
Jo Butlin
Jo Butlin
Non-Executive Director
Jo brings deep market knowledge and Board experience to support strategic and operational development…
Christine Chapter
Christine Chapter
Head of delivery
Christine is Regen's Head of Delivery. She was previously at National Grid Electricity Transmission…
Robbie Evans
Robbie Evans
Energy analyst
Robbie is an energy analyst at Regen. He has worked across several areas within…
Becky Fowell
Becky Fowell
Project manager
As a project manager, Becky works with data, visualisation tools and continuous stakeholder engagement…
Olly Frankland
Olly Frankland
Electricity Storage Network lead
Olly leads the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale electricity…
Maxine Frerk
Maxine Frerk
Associate
Maxine has a strong regulatory background after 15 years in Ofgem including as Senior…
Simon Gill
Simon Gill
Associate
Simon is a Regen associate, providing a wealth of experience to support our analytical…
Johnny Gowdy
Johnny Gowdy
Director
Johnny is a director of Regen and leads the development of our advisory projects,…
Rachel Hayes
Rachel Hayes
Associate director
Rachel leads Regen’s strategic partnerships and impact, ensuring we are plugged into key networks…
Jonty Haynes
Jonty Haynes
Principal analyst
Jonty is a Principal Analyst at Regen delivering a range of technical support services,…
Frank Hodgson
Frank Hodgson
Senior energy analyst
Frank leads analytical projects at Regen, focusing on breaking down the barriers to electrification. Frank…
Merlin Hyman
Merlin Hyman
Chief executive
Merlin leads Regen’s mission to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy system. Under…
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Senior energy analyst
Tamsyn is a senior energy analyst interested in all things people and digital. She…
Poppy Maltby
Poppy Maltby
Head of local energy
Poppy is Head of Local Energy at Regen. She is leading our work to…
George Middlemiss
George Middlemiss
Local energy analyst
George is a local energy analyst who plays a key role in supporting Regen’s…
Grace Millman
Grace Millman
Senior energy analyst
Grace is a senior energy analyst at Regen delivering high quality research, analysis and…
Meagan Reasoner
Meagan Reasoner
Energy analyst
Meagan is a energy analyst who joined the Regen team in September of 2022…
Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson
Local net zero project manager
Alex delivers Regen's support of net zero at the local level, ensuring that place…
Fraser Stewart
Fraser Stewart
Just transition lead
Fraser is driving work on energy justice and just transitions at Regen. From a…
Prina Sumaria
Prina Sumaria
Net zero project manager
Prina specialises in local energy and just transition issues. She leads Regen's work supporting…
Patti S
Patti S
Senior energy analyst
Patti is one of Regen's senior energy analysts, working to deliver high quality data…
Alex Temple
Alex Temple
Electricity Storage Network graduate
Alex works on the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale…
Joel Venn
Joel Venn
Head analyst
As head analyst, Joel is responsible for leading and developing Regen’s analytical team, as…
Charlotte Wason
Charlotte Wason
Graduate energy analyst
Charlotte is a Graduate Energy Analyst, having previously spent time as a summer intern…
Hazel Williams
Hazel Williams
Associate director
Hazel is responsible for Regen’s project delivery, leading on resourcing, quality assurance and developing…

In partnership with Innovate UK, Regen has developed the Playbook for Network Innovation to support projects throughout their journey and provide recommendations to shape the UK energy innovation landscape.

Project manager: Grace Millman

Project duration: July 2023 – March 2024

The context: Energy network innovation

Network innovation funding has enabled improvements in efficiency, safety, customer service and resilience. We have seen some big steps forward, such as the testing and roll-out of active network management and flexibility markets. However, a more radical step change is required if we are to meet the net zero challenge.

The innovation landscape has also undergone a significant transformation in the last few years, with new price control periods and changing innovation funding.


The Strategic Innovation Fund

Ofgem and Innovate UK are collaborating on the new Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF), which replaces the Network Innovation Competition (NIC) in the second RIIO price control period. With £450 million available over a five-year period, the vision for the SIF is to enable a ‘giant leap together’ in network innovation, helping to deliver net zero at the lowest cost to consumers by enabling strategic change. Working with other public funders of innovation, the SIF aims to deliver real net benefits to network companies, energy users and consumers, and help the UK become a global hub of energy innovation; a ‘Silicon Valley’ of energy.


The project

Regen’s experience of working with the energy networks and innovators is that they face a number of challenges. This project has conducted a deep dive into previous projects to look for trends related to success and failure. This included looking at when useful learning was generated from the project, whether the innovation was rolled out into business-as-usual and whether a product or service was successfully commercialised.

This has been combined with existing academic research on innovation diffusion to identify targeted recommendations to the innovation community to increase the chances of successful deployment of future innovation projects. By harnessing these invaluable insights, we want to create a powerful resource that will guide innovators, energy networks and their partners as they develop and refine their ideas, craft project applications and embark on their journey of network innovation and successful deployment.

Read the Playbook for Network Innovation here

Playbook Mountain Graphic

 


For more information, please reach out to the project lead, Grace Millman, or Regen’s head of innovation, Tamar Bourne.

People on this project

Ray Arrell
Ray Arrell
Associate director
Ray is part of the Regen leadership team, overseeing our work and strategic goals…
Tamar Bourne
Tamar Bourne
Head of innovation
Tamar is the head of innovation at Regen. She strives to be at the…
Ellie Brundrett
Ellie Brundrett
Net zero project manager
Since joining Regen in 2021, Ellie has been responsible for delivering some of our…
Jo Butlin
Jo Butlin
Non-Executive Director
Jo brings deep market knowledge and Board experience to support strategic and operational development…
Christine Chapter
Christine Chapter
Head of delivery
Christine is Regen's Head of Delivery. She was previously at National Grid Electricity Transmission…
Robbie Evans
Robbie Evans
Energy analyst
Robbie is an energy analyst at Regen. He has worked across several areas within…
Becky Fowell
Becky Fowell
Project manager
As a project manager, Becky works with data, visualisation tools and continuous stakeholder engagement…
Olly Frankland
Olly Frankland
Electricity Storage Network lead
Olly leads the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale electricity…
Maxine Frerk
Maxine Frerk
Associate
Maxine has a strong regulatory background after 15 years in Ofgem including as Senior…
Simon Gill
Simon Gill
Associate
Simon is a Regen associate, providing a wealth of experience to support our analytical…
Johnny Gowdy
Johnny Gowdy
Director
Johnny is a director of Regen and leads the development of our advisory projects,…
Rachel Hayes
Rachel Hayes
Associate director
Rachel leads Regen’s strategic partnerships and impact, ensuring we are plugged into key networks…
Jonty Haynes
Jonty Haynes
Principal analyst
Jonty is a Principal Analyst at Regen delivering a range of technical support services,…
Frank Hodgson
Frank Hodgson
Senior energy analyst
Frank leads analytical projects at Regen, focusing on breaking down the barriers to electrification. Frank…
Merlin Hyman
Merlin Hyman
Chief executive
Merlin leads Regen’s mission to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy system. Under…
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Senior energy analyst
Tamsyn is a senior energy analyst interested in all things people and digital. She…
Poppy Maltby
Poppy Maltby
Head of local energy
Poppy is Head of Local Energy at Regen. She is leading our work to…
George Middlemiss
George Middlemiss
Local energy analyst
George is a local energy analyst who plays a key role in supporting Regen’s…
Grace Millman
Grace Millman
Senior energy analyst
Grace is a senior energy analyst at Regen delivering high quality research, analysis and…
Meagan Reasoner
Meagan Reasoner
Energy analyst
Meagan is a energy analyst who joined the Regen team in September of 2022…
Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson
Local net zero project manager
Alex delivers Regen's support of net zero at the local level, ensuring that place…
Fraser Stewart
Fraser Stewart
Just transition lead
Fraser is driving work on energy justice and just transitions at Regen. From a…
Prina Sumaria
Prina Sumaria
Net zero project manager
Prina specialises in local energy and just transition issues. She leads Regen's work supporting…
Patti S
Patti S
Senior energy analyst
Patti is one of Regen's senior energy analysts, working to deliver high quality data…
Alex Temple
Alex Temple
Electricity Storage Network graduate
Alex works on the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale…
Joel Venn
Joel Venn
Head analyst
As head analyst, Joel is responsible for leading and developing Regen’s analytical team, as…
Charlotte Wason
Charlotte Wason
Graduate energy analyst
Charlotte is a Graduate Energy Analyst, having previously spent time as a summer intern…
Hazel Williams
Hazel Williams
Associate director
Hazel is responsible for Regen’s project delivery, leading on resourcing, quality assurance and developing…

Planning Regional Infrastructure in a Digital Environment, or PRIDE, is a Strategic Innovation Fund project being run by a consortium of partners including Regen, the West Midlands Combined Authority, Advanced Infrastructure, National Grid Electricity Distribution and National Grid ESO.

Exploring new digital planning tools, governance and processes, the PRIDE project aims to improve how local planning and network investment decisions are made to fast-track the infrastructure and low-carbon technology deployment at a regional level to deliver net zero.

The PRIDE project is at the Alpha stage of the SIF process. In this stage it will be exploring three key elements:

  • LAEP+ tool: Deploying and testing the functionality of a digital tool to help local authorities plan net zero and share that planning information with energy networks in a data-driven and consistent way.
  • Governance structure: Testing how the LAEP+ tool works within a governance structure of local authorities, energy networks and regional infrastructure providers to inform decision making and provide democratic accountability for net zero planning at a local and regional level.
  • Regional Energy Strategic Planning: Testing how the learnings from the tool development and governance structure could inform and feed into the wider framework of a future Regional Energy Strategic Planner (RESP).

The project follows on from the Discovery phase, in which Regen supported the West Midlands Combined Authority to engage with local authorities about how a digital planning tool could help improve local energy planning processes and what data and functionality they would like to see in such a tool. The Alpha phase will run from October 2023 until March 2024, at which point Regen and the consortium partners will submit a bid for the final Beta phase to continue to explore the governance system and how learnings can contribute to the development of the RESP.


For further information on the project, please contact Mollie Atherton.

 

People on this project

Mollie Atherton
Mollie Atherton
Local authorities project manager
Mollie leads Regen’s work with local authorities and is committed to accelerating change at…
Rebecca Ford
Rebecca Ford
Associate
Rebecca was formerly Head of Demand and Flexibility at Regen and now contributes to…
Olly Frankland
Olly Frankland
Electricity Storage Network lead
Olly leads the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale electricity…
Rachel Hayes
Rachel Hayes
Associate director
Rachel leads Regen’s strategic partnerships and impact, ensuring we are plugged into key networks…
Jessica Hogan
Jessica Hogan
Energy analyst
Jessica joined Regen as an Energy Analyst in April 2024. Her research specialises in…
Poppy Maltby
Poppy Maltby
Head of local energy
Poppy is Head of Local Energy at Regen. She is leading our work to…
George Middlemiss
George Middlemiss
Local energy analyst
George is a local energy analyst who plays a key role in supporting Regen’s…
Shona R
Shona R
Energy analyst
Shona is an energy analyst who joined Regen in September 2022 after completing her…
Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson
Local net zero project manager
Alex delivers Regen's support of net zero at the local level, ensuring that place…
Hannah Stanley
Hannah Stanley
Stakeholder manager
Hannah first joined Regen in 2017 quickly becoming the events manager and leading the…
Fraser Stewart
Fraser Stewart
Just transition lead
Fraser is driving work on energy justice and just transitions at Regen. From a…
Prina Sumaria
Prina Sumaria
Net zero project manager
Prina specialises in local energy and just transition issues. She leads Regen's work supporting…
Felicity Vivian
Felicity Vivian
Local net zero coordinator
Felicity provides support for the Thriving Places Programme an exciting two-year programme in which…
Hazel Williams
Hazel Williams
Associate director
Hazel is responsible for Regen’s project delivery, leading on resourcing, quality assurance and developing…
Rebecca Windemer
Rebecca Windemer
Planning and communities lead
Rebecca leads our work on planning and communities at Regen. She holds a PhD…

Regen have been supporting the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) with its Planning Regional Infrastructure in a Digital Environment (PRIDE) project.

Project duration: May– June 2023

Project lead: Mollie Atherton

PRIDE is a collaborative project between the WMCA, National Grid Electricity Distribution and Advanced Infrastructure. Its goal is to improve how local planning decisions can influence network investment to accelerate the deployment of low carbon technologies and decarbonise heat and transport.

 

This project explored how a whole systems digital planning tool could help local authorities develop flexible and lower cost local area energy plans, and a governance structure that would ensure those local area energy plans are embedded into network investment decisions. 

In our role, we delivered an in-person workshop and online webinar with the local authorities in the West Midlands Combined Authority region that explored:

 

·        The opportunities and challenges of local area energy planning.

·        How the whole systems digital planning tool could help local authorities develop local area energy plans.

·        Governance structures that provide a platform for better engagement between local authorities and energy networks.

 

It was important to us that local and regional needs were being considered throughout the project. We designed the workshops to provide a platform on which local authorities can share their challenges with project partners as well as other local authorities to encourage peer-to-peer learning and support. 

This project formed part of the Discovery phase of PRIDE, which finished in June 2023. We have supported the project partners submit the SIF funding bid for the next phase of the PRIDE project, during which we will join the consortium as a project partner and help continue to support the development of the whole systems planning tool and trial the governance structures with local authorities and infrastructure providers in the WMCA region. 


For further information on the project, please contact Mollie Atherton.

 

People on this project

Mollie Atherton
Mollie Atherton
Local authorities project manager
Mollie leads Regen’s work with local authorities and is committed to accelerating change at…
Rebecca Ford
Rebecca Ford
Associate
Rebecca was formerly Head of Demand and Flexibility at Regen and now contributes to…
Olly Frankland
Olly Frankland
Electricity Storage Network lead
Olly leads the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale electricity…
Rachel Hayes
Rachel Hayes
Associate director
Rachel leads Regen’s strategic partnerships and impact, ensuring we are plugged into key networks…
Jessica Hogan
Jessica Hogan
Energy analyst
Jessica joined Regen as an Energy Analyst in April 2024. Her research specialises in…
Poppy Maltby
Poppy Maltby
Head of local energy
Poppy is Head of Local Energy at Regen. She is leading our work to…
George Middlemiss
George Middlemiss
Local energy analyst
George is a local energy analyst who plays a key role in supporting Regen’s…
Shona R
Shona R
Energy analyst
Shona is an energy analyst who joined Regen in September 2022 after completing her…
Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson
Local net zero project manager
Alex delivers Regen's support of net zero at the local level, ensuring that place…
Hannah Stanley
Hannah Stanley
Stakeholder manager
Hannah first joined Regen in 2017 quickly becoming the events manager and leading the…
Fraser Stewart
Fraser Stewart
Just transition lead
Fraser is driving work on energy justice and just transitions at Regen. From a…
Prina Sumaria
Prina Sumaria
Net zero project manager
Prina specialises in local energy and just transition issues. She leads Regen's work supporting…
Felicity Vivian
Felicity Vivian
Local net zero coordinator
Felicity provides support for the Thriving Places Programme an exciting two-year programme in which…
Hazel Williams
Hazel Williams
Associate director
Hazel is responsible for Regen’s project delivery, leading on resourcing, quality assurance and developing…
Rebecca Windemer
Rebecca Windemer
Planning and communities lead
Rebecca leads our work on planning and communities at Regen. She holds a PhD…

Innovation is central to the ability of the networks to rise to the challenge of net zero. Regen supported Energy Networks Association in developing a strategy to ensure network innovation projects have clear goals and deliver benefits to consumers by tackling the key issues facing our energy system.

Project duration: November 2021 to March 2022

ENA Offical Logo (High Res)

Regen was commissioned by ENA to revise and refresh the strategy to ensure that network innovation continues to be coordinated, focused on the key priorities for the energy system and delivers benefits to energy consumers.

The innovation landscape has evolved since the network innovation strategies were last published in 2020 and so have the priorities and views of energy network stakeholders. With the input and feedback of a diverse group of stakeholders, we’ve ensured that the underlying principles, themes and focus areas that guide network innovation continue to tackle our biggest challenges for 2022 and beyond. Stakeholder feedback has shaped every section of this strategy and we thank all those who were involved throughout.

The aim of the strategy is to enable stakeholders to understand the key priorities for network innovation and how to get involved. You’ll find this information, and lots more, in the strategy and you can also explore these concepts by navigating the interactive infographics below.

  • The first infographic gives you an overview of the network innovation themes and principles. When you click on a segment, a pop-up will appear summarising key information. You can also explore the innovation focus areas defined in the strategy and relevant network project case studies.

  • The second infographic is a high-level guide that maps out the key stages involved in delivering an innovation project from an initial idea to successful implementation and benefits realisation. By clicking on each step of the process, a pop-up will appear highlighting where this strategy can help and signposting to further information and relevant links.

You can read the full 2022 Energy Networks Innovation Strategy by clicking the image below.

Front Cover

 

 

Stakeholder engagement:

The development of the 2022 Energy Networks Innovation Strategy was underpinned by an extensive stakeholder engagement process, and we thank everyone who gave their time and thoughts to help shape the future of network innovation.

We first invited stakeholder views with the launch of an online consultation and associated webinar where we asked for feedback on the proposed updates to the principles and themes governing network innovation for 2022. We heard from 138 of you and at least 80% of you agreed with our proposed revisions to each of the innovation themes. The online consultation summary report can be read here.

View the slides from the webinar here. The recording from the webinar can be watched below.

We then ran two workshops in early 2022, attended by 199 stakeholders, to explore in detail the key focus areas sitting underneath the themes. These focus areas are intended to help innovators better understand how they can collaborate on network innovation projects by clearly laying out the priorities within each theme. The workshop summary report can be read here.

Within the strategy, we’ve included a high-level guide which maps out the key stages involved in delivering an innovation project from start to finish. We hope this will help the innovation community better understand how to collaborate with the networks to solve some of the biggest challenges faced by the industry.



Summit Email Header

Regen was delighted to attend the Energy Innovation Summit on 28-29 September 2022, having worked on the content for the event. Previously known as the Energy Networks Innovation Conference (ENIC), this year’s event has been rebranded to The Summit as part of a new collaboration with BEIS, Innovate UK, Ofgem and Regen, opening the UK’s leading energy innovation event up to wider industry as well as attracting new domestic and international delegates. You can watch the livestreamed sessions here.

People on this project

Ray Arrell
Ray Arrell
Associate director
Ray is part of the Regen leadership team, overseeing our work and strategic goals…
Mollie Atherton
Mollie Atherton
Local authorities project manager
Mollie leads Regen’s work with local authorities and is committed to accelerating change at…
Tamar Bourne
Tamar Bourne
Head of innovation
Tamar is the head of innovation at Regen. She strives to be at the…
Ellie Brundrett
Ellie Brundrett
Net zero project manager
Since joining Regen in 2021, Ellie has been responsible for delivering some of our…
Jo Butlin
Jo Butlin
Non-Executive Director
Jo brings deep market knowledge and Board experience to support strategic and operational development…
Christine Chapter
Christine Chapter
Head of delivery
Christine is Regen's Head of Delivery. She was previously at National Grid Electricity Transmission…
Robbie Evans
Robbie Evans
Energy analyst
Robbie is an energy analyst at Regen. He has worked across several areas within…
Rebecca Ford
Rebecca Ford
Associate
Rebecca was formerly Head of Demand and Flexibility at Regen and now contributes to…
Becky Fowell
Becky Fowell
Project manager
As a project manager, Becky works with data, visualisation tools and continuous stakeholder engagement…
Olly Frankland
Olly Frankland
Electricity Storage Network lead
Olly leads the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale electricity…
Maxine Frerk
Maxine Frerk
Associate
Maxine has a strong regulatory background after 15 years in Ofgem including as Senior…
Simon Gill
Simon Gill
Associate
Simon is a Regen associate, providing a wealth of experience to support our analytical…
Johnny Gowdy
Johnny Gowdy
Director
Johnny is a director of Regen and leads the development of our advisory projects,…
Rachel Hayes
Rachel Hayes
Associate director
Rachel leads Regen’s strategic partnerships and impact, ensuring we are plugged into key networks…
Jonty Haynes
Jonty Haynes
Principal analyst
Jonty is a Principal Analyst at Regen delivering a range of technical support services,…
Frank Hodgson
Frank Hodgson
Senior energy analyst
Frank leads analytical projects at Regen, focusing on breaking down the barriers to electrification. Frank…
Jessica Hogan
Jessica Hogan
Energy analyst
Jessica joined Regen as an Energy Analyst in April 2024. Her research specialises in…
Merlin Hyman
Merlin Hyman
Chief executive
Merlin leads Regen’s mission to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy system. Under…
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Senior energy analyst
Tamsyn is a senior energy analyst interested in all things people and digital. She…
Poppy Maltby
Poppy Maltby
Head of local energy
Poppy is Head of Local Energy at Regen. She is leading our work to…
George Middlemiss
George Middlemiss
Local energy analyst
George is a local energy analyst who plays a key role in supporting Regen’s…
Grace Millman
Grace Millman
Senior energy analyst
Grace is a senior energy analyst at Regen delivering high quality research, analysis and…
Meagan Reasoner
Meagan Reasoner
Energy analyst
Meagan is a energy analyst who joined the Regen team in September of 2022…
Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson
Local net zero project manager
Alex delivers Regen's support of net zero at the local level, ensuring that place…
Fraser Stewart
Fraser Stewart
Just transition lead
Fraser is driving work on energy justice and just transitions at Regen. From a…
Prina Sumaria
Prina Sumaria
Net zero project manager
Prina specialises in local energy and just transition issues. She leads Regen's work supporting…
Patti S
Patti S
Senior energy analyst
Patti is one of Regen's senior energy analysts, working to deliver high quality data…
Alex Temple
Alex Temple
Electricity Storage Network graduate
Alex works on the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale…
Joel Venn
Joel Venn
Head analyst
As head analyst, Joel is responsible for leading and developing Regen’s analytical team, as…
Charlotte Wason
Charlotte Wason
Graduate energy analyst
Charlotte is a Graduate Energy Analyst, having previously spent time as a summer intern…
Hazel Williams
Hazel Williams
Associate director
Hazel is responsible for Regen’s project delivery, leading on resourcing, quality assurance and developing…
Rebecca Windemer
Rebecca Windemer
Planning and communities lead
Rebecca leads our work on planning and communities at Regen. She holds a PhD…

Project duration: June 2017 to April 2020

Regen was one of the partners on OpenLV, a network innovation trial with Western Power Distribution (WPD) which gave communities and businesses access to local electricity substation data. The project trialled an open software platform in electricity substations that monitored substation performance and electricity demand for a local area, and hosted apps that enabled participants to access this data and explore uses for it which benefited communities and the network.

The software was installed in 80 Low Voltage (LV) distribution substations across WPD’s licence areas, and could ultimately be deployed in every LV and High Voltage (HV) substation in Great Britain.

Regen worked alongside the Centre for Sustainable Energy (CSE) to support the eight community groups involved in the trial, and evaluate how useful the local electricity data was for them. For more on how communities used the data, you can read the OpenLV guidebook for community energy organisations, ‘Using data from your local substation’, with case studies on trial participants, along with more information and resources from the project.

This video sets out some of the ways open access to local electricity substation data can help to support people in fuel poverty and vulnerable customers as we transition to a smarter, decarbonised network.

OpenLV was a Western Power Distribution project, funded by the Network Innovation Competition, and delivered by EA Technology.

WPD Midlands English Ea Technology Logo


To find out more about the Open LV project, contact Ky Hoare at khoare@regen.co.uk.


 

People on this project

Ray Arrell
Ray Arrell
Associate director
Ray is part of the Regen leadership team, overseeing our work and strategic goals…
Mollie Atherton
Mollie Atherton
Local authorities project manager
Mollie leads Regen’s work with local authorities and is committed to accelerating change at…
Tamar Bourne
Tamar Bourne
Head of innovation
Tamar is the head of innovation at Regen. She strives to be at the…
Ellie Brundrett
Ellie Brundrett
Net zero project manager
Since joining Regen in 2021, Ellie has been responsible for delivering some of our…
Jo Butlin
Jo Butlin
Non-Executive Director
Jo brings deep market knowledge and Board experience to support strategic and operational development…
Christine Chapter
Christine Chapter
Head of delivery
Christine is Regen's Head of Delivery. She was previously at National Grid Electricity Transmission…
Robbie Evans
Robbie Evans
Energy analyst
Robbie is an energy analyst at Regen. He has worked across several areas within…
Rebecca Ford
Rebecca Ford
Associate
Rebecca was formerly Head of Demand and Flexibility at Regen and now contributes to…
Becky Fowell
Becky Fowell
Project manager
As a project manager, Becky works with data, visualisation tools and continuous stakeholder engagement…
Olly Frankland
Olly Frankland
Electricity Storage Network lead
Olly leads the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale electricity…
Maxine Frerk
Maxine Frerk
Associate
Maxine has a strong regulatory background after 15 years in Ofgem including as Senior…
Simon Gill
Simon Gill
Associate
Simon is a Regen associate, providing a wealth of experience to support our analytical…
Johnny Gowdy
Johnny Gowdy
Director
Johnny is a director of Regen and leads the development of our advisory projects,…
Rachel Hayes
Rachel Hayes
Associate director
Rachel leads Regen’s strategic partnerships and impact, ensuring we are plugged into key networks…
Jonty Haynes
Jonty Haynes
Principal analyst
Jonty is a Principal Analyst at Regen delivering a range of technical support services,…
Frank Hodgson
Frank Hodgson
Senior energy analyst
Frank leads analytical projects at Regen, focusing on breaking down the barriers to electrification. Frank…
Jessica Hogan
Jessica Hogan
Energy analyst
Jessica joined Regen as an Energy Analyst in April 2024. Her research specialises in…
Merlin Hyman
Merlin Hyman
Chief executive
Merlin leads Regen’s mission to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy system. Under…
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Senior energy analyst
Tamsyn is a senior energy analyst interested in all things people and digital. She…
Poppy Maltby
Poppy Maltby
Head of local energy
Poppy is Head of Local Energy at Regen. She is leading our work to…
George Middlemiss
George Middlemiss
Local energy analyst
George is a local energy analyst who plays a key role in supporting Regen’s…
Grace Millman
Grace Millman
Senior energy analyst
Grace is a senior energy analyst at Regen delivering high quality research, analysis and…
Meagan Reasoner
Meagan Reasoner
Energy analyst
Meagan is a energy analyst who joined the Regen team in September of 2022…
Shona R
Shona R
Energy analyst
Shona is an energy analyst who joined Regen in September 2022 after completing her…
Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson
Local net zero project manager
Alex delivers Regen's support of net zero at the local level, ensuring that place…
Hannah Stanley
Hannah Stanley
Stakeholder manager
Hannah first joined Regen in 2017 quickly becoming the events manager and leading the…
Fraser Stewart
Fraser Stewart
Just transition lead
Fraser is driving work on energy justice and just transitions at Regen. From a…
Prina Sumaria
Prina Sumaria
Net zero project manager
Prina specialises in local energy and just transition issues. She leads Regen's work supporting…
Patti S
Patti S
Senior energy analyst
Patti is one of Regen's senior energy analysts, working to deliver high quality data…
Alex Temple
Alex Temple
Electricity Storage Network graduate
Alex works on the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale…
Joel Venn
Joel Venn
Head analyst
As head analyst, Joel is responsible for leading and developing Regen’s analytical team, as…
Felicity Vivian
Felicity Vivian
Local net zero coordinator
Felicity provides support for the Thriving Places Programme an exciting two-year programme in which…
Charlotte Wason
Charlotte Wason
Graduate energy analyst
Charlotte is a Graduate Energy Analyst, having previously spent time as a summer intern…
Hazel Williams
Hazel Williams
Associate director
Hazel is responsible for Regen’s project delivery, leading on resourcing, quality assurance and developing…
Rebecca Windemer
Rebecca Windemer
Planning and communities lead
Rebecca leads our work on planning and communities at Regen. She holds a PhD…

Project duration:  July – September 2020

Regen worked with UK Research and Innovation and Energy Systems Catapult to explore how open data can enable greater innovation in local energy systems.

We explored the opportunities for using data for local energy systems and identified the challenges that stakeholders had that could be met through data solutions. In doing so we hoped to support innovation for net zero and investment in the green recovery.

Some of the ways in which data could be better used are:

  • Providing better energy advice for local people considering home asset investments
  • Supporting developers of renewable generation to identify sites
  • Providing services that facilitate bill reductions for the vulnerable
  • Addressing network constraint management
  • Choosing heating assets for new building developments
  • Matching of energy supply and demand.

But we knew there are many more use cases out there. So, we asked stakeholders for their views through an online survey and two workshops. The findings are reflected in the final outputs, available here.

The key findings were shared at the ISCF Modernising Energy Data Competition briefing on 22 September, hosted by UK Research and Innovation, the recording of which can be found below

The purpose of this exercise was to help stimulate innovation to provide real-world solutions to the challenges we are facing. UK Research and Innovation has launched a competition to support exactly that with up to £150k for a feasibility study in the first phase. You can find out more about the competition here.

UKRI INDUSTRIAL STRATEGY LOGO Online ESC Logo Esc Pink 01

People on this project

Ray Arrell
Ray Arrell
Associate director
Ray is part of the Regen leadership team, overseeing our work and strategic goals…
Tamar Bourne
Tamar Bourne
Head of innovation
Tamar is the head of innovation at Regen. She strives to be at the…
Ellie Brundrett
Ellie Brundrett
Net zero project manager
Since joining Regen in 2021, Ellie has been responsible for delivering some of our…
Jo Butlin
Jo Butlin
Non-Executive Director
Jo brings deep market knowledge and Board experience to support strategic and operational development…
Christine Chapter
Christine Chapter
Head of delivery
Christine is Regen's Head of Delivery. She was previously at National Grid Electricity Transmission…
Robbie Evans
Robbie Evans
Energy analyst
Robbie is an energy analyst at Regen. He has worked across several areas within…
Rebecca Ford
Rebecca Ford
Associate
Rebecca was formerly Head of Demand and Flexibility at Regen and now contributes to…
Becky Fowell
Becky Fowell
Project manager
As a project manager, Becky works with data, visualisation tools and continuous stakeholder engagement…
Olly Frankland
Olly Frankland
Electricity Storage Network lead
Olly leads the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale electricity…
Maxine Frerk
Maxine Frerk
Associate
Maxine has a strong regulatory background after 15 years in Ofgem including as Senior…
Simon Gill
Simon Gill
Associate
Simon is a Regen associate, providing a wealth of experience to support our analytical…
Johnny Gowdy
Johnny Gowdy
Director
Johnny is a director of Regen and leads the development of our advisory projects,…
Rachel Hayes
Rachel Hayes
Associate director
Rachel leads Regen’s strategic partnerships and impact, ensuring we are plugged into key networks…
Jonty Haynes
Jonty Haynes
Principal analyst
Jonty is a Principal Analyst at Regen delivering a range of technical support services,…
Frank Hodgson
Frank Hodgson
Senior energy analyst
Frank leads analytical projects at Regen, focusing on breaking down the barriers to electrification. Frank…
Merlin Hyman
Merlin Hyman
Chief executive
Merlin leads Regen’s mission to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy system. Under…
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Senior energy analyst
Tamsyn is a senior energy analyst interested in all things people and digital. She…
Poppy Maltby
Poppy Maltby
Head of local energy
Poppy is Head of Local Energy at Regen. She is leading our work to…
George Middlemiss
George Middlemiss
Local energy analyst
George is a local energy analyst who plays a key role in supporting Regen’s…
Grace Millman
Grace Millman
Senior energy analyst
Grace is a senior energy analyst at Regen delivering high quality research, analysis and…
Meagan Reasoner
Meagan Reasoner
Energy analyst
Meagan is a energy analyst who joined the Regen team in September of 2022…
Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson
Local net zero project manager
Alex delivers Regen's support of net zero at the local level, ensuring that place…
Fraser Stewart
Fraser Stewart
Just transition lead
Fraser is driving work on energy justice and just transitions at Regen. From a…
Prina Sumaria
Prina Sumaria
Net zero project manager
Prina specialises in local energy and just transition issues. She leads Regen's work supporting…
Patti S
Patti S
Senior energy analyst
Patti is one of Regen's senior energy analysts, working to deliver high quality data…
Alex Temple
Alex Temple
Electricity Storage Network graduate
Alex works on the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale…
Joel Venn
Joel Venn
Head analyst
As head analyst, Joel is responsible for leading and developing Regen’s analytical team, as…
Charlotte Wason
Charlotte Wason
Graduate energy analyst
Charlotte is a Graduate Energy Analyst, having previously spent time as a summer intern…
Hazel Williams
Hazel Williams
Associate director
Hazel is responsible for Regen’s project delivery, leading on resourcing, quality assurance and developing…

Project duration: October 2014 to February 2017

Regen worked with Western Power Distribution (WPD), Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network (WREN) and Tempus Energy to trial a Sunshine Tariff in Wadebridge, Cornwall.

The trial looked to understand how different customers engage with a cheaper daytime tariff and how active they become in changing their consumption patterns in response to this price signal. The project aimed to resolve network capacity issues in the local area by incentivising customers to use electricity between 10am and 4pm in the summer months, which is often when solar generation is at its greatest.

The findings from the trial are set out in a number of reports (click to download):

And you can listen to the team talk about the trial in the Sunshine Tariff webinar. Please note that there is no sound for the first one and a half minutes.

The team were not able to answer all the questions during the webinar, so a Frequently Asked Questions document was compiled.

 

Project lead: Tamar Bourne

Contact: tbourne@regen.co.uk

 

WPD Sunshine Tempus

People on this project

Ray Arrell
Ray Arrell
Associate director
Ray is part of the Regen leadership team, overseeing our work and strategic goals…
Mollie Atherton
Mollie Atherton
Local authorities project manager
Mollie leads Regen’s work with local authorities and is committed to accelerating change at…
Tamar Bourne
Tamar Bourne
Head of innovation
Tamar is the head of innovation at Regen. She strives to be at the…
Ellie Brundrett
Ellie Brundrett
Net zero project manager
Since joining Regen in 2021, Ellie has been responsible for delivering some of our…
Jo Butlin
Jo Butlin
Non-Executive Director
Jo brings deep market knowledge and Board experience to support strategic and operational development…
Christine Chapter
Christine Chapter
Head of delivery
Christine is Regen's Head of Delivery. She was previously at National Grid Electricity Transmission…
Robbie Evans
Robbie Evans
Energy analyst
Robbie is an energy analyst at Regen. He has worked across several areas within…
Rebecca Ford
Rebecca Ford
Associate
Rebecca was formerly Head of Demand and Flexibility at Regen and now contributes to…
Becky Fowell
Becky Fowell
Project manager
As a project manager, Becky works with data, visualisation tools and continuous stakeholder engagement…
Olly Frankland
Olly Frankland
Electricity Storage Network lead
Olly leads the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale electricity…
Maxine Frerk
Maxine Frerk
Associate
Maxine has a strong regulatory background after 15 years in Ofgem including as Senior…
Simon Gill
Simon Gill
Associate
Simon is a Regen associate, providing a wealth of experience to support our analytical…
Johnny Gowdy
Johnny Gowdy
Director
Johnny is a director of Regen and leads the development of our advisory projects,…
Rachel Hayes
Rachel Hayes
Associate director
Rachel leads Regen’s strategic partnerships and impact, ensuring we are plugged into key networks…
Jonty Haynes
Jonty Haynes
Principal analyst
Jonty is a Principal Analyst at Regen delivering a range of technical support services,…
Frank Hodgson
Frank Hodgson
Senior energy analyst
Frank leads analytical projects at Regen, focusing on breaking down the barriers to electrification. Frank…
Jessica Hogan
Jessica Hogan
Energy analyst
Jessica joined Regen as an Energy Analyst in April 2024. Her research specialises in…
Merlin Hyman
Merlin Hyman
Chief executive
Merlin leads Regen’s mission to accelerate the transition to a zero-carbon energy system. Under…
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Tamsyn Lonsdale-Smith
Senior energy analyst
Tamsyn is a senior energy analyst interested in all things people and digital. She…
Poppy Maltby
Poppy Maltby
Head of local energy
Poppy is Head of Local Energy at Regen. She is leading our work to…
George Middlemiss
George Middlemiss
Local energy analyst
George is a local energy analyst who plays a key role in supporting Regen’s…
Grace Millman
Grace Millman
Senior energy analyst
Grace is a senior energy analyst at Regen delivering high quality research, analysis and…
Meagan Reasoner
Meagan Reasoner
Energy analyst
Meagan is a energy analyst who joined the Regen team in September of 2022…
Shona R
Shona R
Energy analyst
Shona is an energy analyst who joined Regen in September 2022 after completing her…
Alex Robertson
Alex Robertson
Local net zero project manager
Alex delivers Regen's support of net zero at the local level, ensuring that place…
Hannah Stanley
Hannah Stanley
Stakeholder manager
Hannah first joined Regen in 2017 quickly becoming the events manager and leading the…
Fraser Stewart
Fraser Stewart
Just transition lead
Fraser is driving work on energy justice and just transitions at Regen. From a…
Prina Sumaria
Prina Sumaria
Net zero project manager
Prina specialises in local energy and just transition issues. She leads Regen's work supporting…
Patti S
Patti S
Senior energy analyst
Patti is one of Regen's senior energy analysts, working to deliver high quality data…
Alex Temple
Alex Temple
Electricity Storage Network graduate
Alex works on the Electricity Storage Network, the industry group and voice for grid-scale…
Joel Venn
Joel Venn
Head analyst
As head analyst, Joel is responsible for leading and developing Regen’s analytical team, as…
Felicity Vivian
Felicity Vivian
Local net zero coordinator
Felicity provides support for the Thriving Places Programme an exciting two-year programme in which…
Charlotte Wason
Charlotte Wason
Graduate energy analyst
Charlotte is a Graduate Energy Analyst, having previously spent time as a summer intern…
Hazel Williams
Hazel Williams
Associate director
Hazel is responsible for Regen’s project delivery, leading on resourcing, quality assurance and developing…
Rebecca Windemer
Rebecca Windemer
Planning and communities lead
Rebecca leads our work on planning and communities at Regen. She holds a PhD…

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