The Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) has published two new support resources designed to help innovators bring innovative solutions into operational use faster and improve the quality of energy industry feedback.
Developed as part of the Industry Innovator Action Plan, the resources focus on:
- Accelerating the transition of innovation projects into business-as-usual (BAU) operations
- Improving the quality and consistency of feedback across the sector.
The Innovation Deployment Guidance, led by UK Power Networks, provides practical guidance for innovators and network operators preparing projects for deployment. It outlines 15 indicators intended to help identify risks, gaps and dependencies earlier in the process.
It also includes a section written by Stewart Reid, former Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Future Head of Future Networks, offering advice on preparing projects for final executive approval.
Standardising Quality Feedback, led by Northern Gas Networks, sets out best practice for providing clear and consistent feedback to innovators across the industry.
The work has also supported the development of an AI tool designed to assess feedback quality against the new guidance. The tool is set to be made available for wider industry use this summer.
Angus Dent, Senior Innovation Engineer and Action Plan Delivery Lead at the EIC said: “We are delighted with the progress made on the Industry innovator Action Plan and I would like to thank representatives from Northern Gas Networks and UK Power Networks for leading Actions 8 and 9.
“I’m excited to see how the feedback guidance improves the quality and consistency of feedback across the industry, giving innovators greater clarity on the next steps for their solutions.
“The deployment guidance will help increase both the speed and volume of projects transitioning into business-as-usual operations.”
A spokesperson for UK Power Networks said: “We’re delighted to have worked in conjunction with the EIC to develop the Innovation Deployment Guidance.
“The guidance sets out key considerations for innovators as they progress from project development through to deployment and adoption. It provides a structured reference point to support planning, assessment and decision-making.
“By outlining the core requirements and processes involved, it will help innovators better understand expectations and prepare their solutions for successful implementation across energy networks”
Whilst these outputs mark important progress, multiple actions remain under development. Innovators or industry organisations that would like to learn more about getting involved in the future development of the Action Plan can contact Angus Dent.
