Utility Week

UTILITY WEEK | 26TH OCTOBER - 1ST NOVEMBER 2018 | 3 This week 4 | Seven days 6 | Interview Tony Smith, chief executive, CCWater 10 Policy & Regulation 10 | News ROC fees missed by 34 energy suppliers 11 | Chief executive's view Mark Horsley, Northern Gas Networks 12 | Analysis Is energy supply a legitimate area of interest for local authorities? 15 | Opinion Maureen Paul, Ofgem 18 Finance & Investment 18 | News £18/tonne CPS could kill coal by 2022 19 | Market view Maximising the output of ageing solar farms 20 Operations & Assets 20 | High viz Thames Water's Abbey Mills 21 | Market view Minimum standards for energy suppliers 22 | Analysis Does hydrogen have a place in decarbonising heat? 24 | Market view Water needs an iPhone moment 25 | Case study National Grid Gas Distribution's Best Team Award 26 Customers 26 | News First Utility to take on Usio customers 30 Community 31 | Disconnector GAS 11 | Chief executive's view Mark Horsley, Northern Gas Networks 22 | Analysis Does hydrogen have a place in decarbonising heat? 25 | Case study National Grid Gas Distribution's Best Team Award WATER 8 | Interview Tony Smith, chief executive, CCWater 20 | High viz Thames Water's Abbey Mills 24 | Market view Water needs an iPhone moment ELECTRICITY 10 | News ROC fees missed by 34 energy suppliers 18 | News £18/ tonne CPS could kill coal by 2022 19 | Market view Maximising the output of ageing solar farms ENERGY 12 | Analysis Is energy supply a legitimate area of interest for local authorities? 15 | Opinion Maureen Paul, Ofgem 21 | Market view Minimum standards for energy suppliers 26 | News First Utility to take on Usio customers Better data is vital to prepare for EVs T he end of the "road to zero" feels like it just got a whole lot closer. This week's news that MPs are urging government to bring forward a ban on sales of petrol and diesel-powered cars by eight years could see 2032 become the new turning point for the energy industry – not least the networks. For suppliers, the uptake in electric vehicles (EVs) signals a wel- come new revenue stream, particularly aer the price cap. In fact, earlier this month at Utility Week Congress, Eon's chief executive, Michael Lewis, called for the deadline to be brought forward to 2030. But the move also accelerates the challenge for networks. The Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) select com- mittee has criticised government strategy on the decarbonisation of transport for being vague, notably saying it is being hampered by networks. This was a point met with surprise by those Utility Week spoke to. On the contrary, networks – the facilitators of connection – have been working to assist the rollout of charging points across the UK. Even if the ban date were brought forward, they say they would be ready, having so far been using a mix of existing accessible data and future scenarios to forecast demand. But it is far from ideal, which is perhaps where the sector might agree in part with the committee's calls for a more strategic approach. Networks are currently navigating their way through a policy black hole. They obviously know the charge points already con- nected, yet new installations continue to spring up throughout the country. It is a market-led picture involving a host of companies, pri- vate homes, on-street and motorway locations, local authorities and building developments. Some are being connected retrospectively and connections are being requested regardless of size. Meanwhile, networks have insufficient access to key data – such as car registrations and vehicle sizes, for example, which could help them gauge demand better. There is no doubt investment will be needed in infrastructure to cope with the looming mass take-up. The RIIO2 period from 2023-28 will fall ahead of the 2032 target, so getting the design of this right will be key. As one network source, asked about their position on EVs, put it: "Our position is we will be prepared. But we need more data and we need more clarity – that is critical." Suzanne Heneghan, acting editor, suzanneheneghan@fav-house.com Leader Suzanne Heneghan Talend: Sponsored Free Water Case Study: optimising water supplies https://bit.ly/2CEQQpf IFS: Sponsored report: Getting Ahead in the Diversifying Energy Market https://bit.ly/2MXkFkI Unify: Sponsored Free Water Case Study: Transform CX and deliver exceptional omnichannel experiences https://bit.ly/2CEQQpf

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