The Opportunity
The objective of this Opportunity is to shortlist the submissions that best answer the brief, with the aim of attending a presentation day with the EIC Industry Partners, where it can be discussed in greater detail with a technical panel.
The EIC welcomes submissions from individual companies or companies working in collaboration with each other.
What is the Problem?
The transition to net zero will see a significant increase in demand across the electricity network, with a growing need for additional capacity at all voltage levels including low voltage (LV).
Distribution network operators (DNOs) will need to facilitate this increase in capacity by upgrading existing installations; providing sufficient capacity at the LV level will be critical for Great Britain to successfully decarbonise its energy systems.
When working on LV underground cables, cable jointers in the UK use specific tools, techniques and follow strict processes to ensure works are undertaken safely; these are followed irrespective of whether the supply has been isolated or not.
Cable jointers play a vital role in maintaining a secure supply of electricity, as well as developing the network to ensure additional capacity is available to allow the country to meet its decarbonisation targets. Jointers work in a variety of environments including highways, footpaths and customer properties etc with a broad selection of new and historic cable types. It’s essential that cable jointers comply with health and safety requirements throughout.
The UK electricity sector utilises the Energy Networks Association’s (ENA) Model Distribution Safety Rules (MDSR) as the foundation for the safe system of work for working on underground cables. The MDSR, which contains strict safety practices and processes, has been prepared using many years’ experience of safely operating electricity networks. The MDSR are subject to ongoing review to ensure that they reflect the best available practise and are appropriate for any new technologies or equipment which are being used in the network.
The techniques and processes currently used by networks to work on LV underground cables, underpinned by MDSR have helped ensure that the industry has delivered extremely high levels of safety and customer service for many years. Given the anticipated increase in activity on the LV network, there’s an opportunity to consider options which help maintain and potentially improve upon the existing high levels of safety and performance that the industry has delivered. The networks are looking for ways to enhance the health, safety and welfare of cable jointers to support the delivery of the investment needed to deliver the necessary increase in network capacity.
Preferred Output
It’s envisaged this call will explore every aspect of the jointing procedures and investigate all possible technologies that could enhance the safety and health of operators. This includes, but is not limited to, robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), materials, decision support tools and equipment, behavioural supervision, etc.