National Grid Electricity Distribution has announced plans
to establish what would be the first Innovation
Advisory Board of its kind in the UK distribution network sector,
bringing together independent expertise from
across industry, technology and academia to help shape
its future innovation priorities.
The announcement was made at Living Innovation, an event hosted
at London's Science Museum with a keynote speech
from Ofgem Chair Mark McAllister. Leaders from across
energy, technology, regulation and industry came
together to explore how successful ideas can be scaled into
practical outcomes for customers.
Cordi O'Hara, President of National Grid Electricity
Distribution, said:
"Delivering the network our customers and communities need is not
something we can do alone. It requires us to think differently,
work collaboratively across sectors, and move faster in
turning good ideas into real-world outcomes.
"For us, innovation is not about running more pilots. It is about
focusing on the challenges that matter most, learning from
others, and scaling what works.
"Our new Innovation Advisory Board will bring together
independent expertise from across sectors to challenge our
thinking and ensure our efforts remain focused on delivering
tangible benefits for customers, communities and the wider energy
system. I look forward to what we can achieve together."
Mark McAllister, Chair of Ofgem,
said:
At Ofgem we are focused on making sure innovation translates
into real improvements in how networks
plan, operate and connect customers, so the system is
more efficient, resilient and affordable.
The discussions at Living Innovation showed the value of bringing
the right people together to turn that progress into practical
delivery.
CBE, Chair of the Energy
Networks Innovation Taskforce, said:
"There has never been a more important time to turn innovation
into business as usual to unlock value for customers and unlock
growth. That is what the Energy Networks Innovation Taskforce
was established to support.
"It's encouraging to see organisations across and
beyond the sector leaning into that challenge and working
together to turn ambition into action. Living Innovation is a
positive signal of that intent, and plans for an Innovation
Advisory Board show a real commitment to delivering on that
ambition.
Phil Steele, Future Technology
Evangelist at Octopus Energy, said:
"Innovation isn't about running more
projects. It's about creating a culture where people
are encouraged to challenge assumptions, find better ways to
solve real problems for customers and then scale what
works.
One of the most encouraging things about Living Innovation was
the willingness to bring together different perspectives and
learn from outside traditional industry boundaries. Events like
this matter because they create the space for honest
conversations, fresh thinking and new partnerships."
The board will provide independent challenge and insight
as new ideas are developed, tested and
scaled, helping National Grid Electricity Distribution focus its
innovation efforts on areas that deliver the greatest value for
customers and communities.
Establishing the Innovation Advisory Board is one of the ways
National Grid Electricity Distribution intends to turn the
discussions from Living Innovation into action. Throughout the
day, speakers explored how organisations can
learn from other sectors, accelerate the adoption of
successful ideas and work together to tackle shared
challenges.
Discussions drew on perspectives from regulation,
technology, industry and international case studies,
including examples from Australia and the United States where
innovation is already delivering benefits for customers and
communities.
Living Innovation is intended to be the first in a series of
events designed to bring together experts from across industry,
technology, regulation and academia to help shape the
future of innovation.
Notes to editors
Living Innovation was hosted by National Grid Electricity
Distribution at London's Science Museum.
The event was opened by Ofgem Chair Mark McAllister and brought
together leaders from across regulation,
industry, technology and academia to discuss how
innovation can be scaled to deliver greater
value for customers.
Speakers included CBE (Chair, Energy Networks
Innovation Taskforce), (Chief Executive, Energy Systems
Catapult), Lucy Yu (Chief Executive, Centre for Net Zero), Dermot
Nolan (former Chief Executive, Ofgem), Phil Steele (Octopus
Energy), Jodie Giles (Innovate UK) and Melissa Stark (Rice
University).
Discussions explored how organisations can
move beyond pilot projects, scale successful innovation, learn
from international examples and deliver greater value
for customers and communities
