Archive for the ‘Industry News’ Category
SBGI Utility Networks is a leading membership organisation providing advocacy and representation for member companies from the energy and utility networks sectors. Utility Business is our quarterly publication addressing topics across the industry as well as reporting on SBGI’s activity.
Caroline Taylor - UB Editor
We’re embarking on a new phase in its development in March with brand new publishers in place, fresh design and are really excited to be launching our first official blog alongside it.
The new look and feel magazine will continue to offer quality content but be much more feature driven, with contribution from business leaders and experts in our industry.
So thanks for visiting our blog. Keep on the lookout for upcoming posts.
We welcome your feedback, comments and contribution to the blog and Utility Business.
The Utility Business editor is Caroline Taylor, SBGI Utility Networks, who welcomes contributions via email: caroline@sbgi.org.uk
After two years of consultation, Ofgem has finalised its new network regulation model aimed at securing the £32 billion of investment needed for the ‘rewiring of Britain’ as it moves to a low carbon economy. RIIO (Revenue equals Incentives plus Innovation and Outputs) will replace RPI-X, which served for 20 years. It will work by setting longer eight-year price controls on network companies and offering them incentives focused on delivering results, as well as expanding the £500 million Low Carbon Network Fund to encourage the growth of smart grids.
The RIIO model will first be applied in the next transmission and gas distribution price control reviews – April 2013. Current and future price controls will be renamed to reflect the RIIO framework i.e. Transmission Price Control Review 5 (TPCR5) and Gas Distribution Price Control Review 2 (GDPCR2) will be named RIIO-T1 and RIIO-GD1.
Further information on advertising in the next issue of Utility Business Magazine or placing a banner advert on this blog, please visit the advertising section or download our media information pack for 2011
Alternatively, you can email us here
Calls to 0870 199 4044
Subscribe to the Utility Business blog here
Arqiva, Detica and BT have officially launched their smart metering consortium SmartReach, which offers expertise delivering national communications solutions, secure systems, data services and running Critical National Infrastructure. The end-to-end solution can be deployed rapidly, providing secure, nationwide coverage and connectivity to all households.
SmartReach proposes a communications service that incorporates high standards of security and resilience that will embrace the learning and assets of interim solutions.
Further information on advertising in the next issue of Utility Business Magazine or placing a banner advert on this blog, please visit the advertising section or download our media information pack for 2011
Alternatively, you can email us here
Calls to 0870 199 4044
Subscribe to the Utility Business blog here
This article highlights the annual Winter Outlook process undertaken by National Grid. Like the last two years, this year’s process consisted of two parts:
- In June 2010, National Grid published its Winter Consultation Report 2010/11: this provided a review of last winter andset out preliminary views and analysis.
- The Winter Outlook Report was published in October, incorporating responses from market participants,along with new analysis.
The Outlook in summary
Looking at electricity first, for winter 2010/11, the surplus of available generation above expected demand is higher than in recent years. Even in harsh weather conditions, generation surpluses are considered adequate. Turning to gas, the analysis shows that for average conditions, with no unforeseen supply losses, sufficient supplies should be available to meet all demand, whilst in severe conditions a demand side response or additional supplies may be required.
Of course there is no room for complacency, and external events such as the loss of Russian gas flows across Ukraine as seen two winters ago, and the reductions in Norwegian supplies last winter caused by very low temperatures offshore, could create a tighter supply demand balance.
Electricity
As stated above, for winter 2010/11, the surplus generation availability above expected electricity demand is higher than it has been in recent years. There is even a potential upside in generation availability due to the anticipated commissioning of several large Combined Cycle Gas Turbine (CCGT) power stations.
Read more…
