Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/1173186
NETWORK / 15 / OCTOBER 2019 For further information on the Network Awards, including details of how to enter, visit https://networkawards.co.uk/ This award will recognise the network company which can best demonstrate a combination of customer service, agenda-setting innova- tion, operational resilience and workforce best practice through its work in 2019. The judges will be looking for: An outstanding record of delivery, with a strong operational performance, refl ected in high customer satisfaction scores An excellent record of stakeholder engage- ment, and the ability to demonstrate how this has shaped the business's strategy Evidence of a commitment to innovation, and a record of embedding innovation back in to business as usual Evidence of a strong approach to sustainabil- ity within the organisation A strong regulatory, and robust fi nancial performance, that refl ects best practice with regard to corporate governance and fi nancial transparency. SPECIAL AWARD Lifetime Achievement Award This award will recognise the network person- ality whose achievements will stand the test of time, creating an impact beyond their direct roles and responsibilities, to the benefi t of the wider sector. The award will acknowledge the winner's sustained achievements within the energy network industry during a distinguished career. The winner of this award will be selected by the Network team with input from the judging panel. Christopher Watts, director – regulatory affairs at S&C Electric Company – discusses RIIO-ED2 and how the role of networks is changing. The start of RIIO-ED2 heralds a unique opportunity for change. Indeed, within the UK, the government, devolved administrations and many cities have committed to net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Moreover, the energy networks are making good progress with the Open Networks project in terms of considering the future industry architecture and having a commitment to market- test any signifi cant new reinforcement requirements against non-wires alternatives. It is, therefore, vital that RIIO-ED2, in terms of areas such as customer engagement, the environment, climate change, and new functions that the distribution network operators (DNOs) will take on while continuing to drive forward key enablers - such as reliability - underpins everything the DNOs and future distribution system operators will do. Outcome metrics and incentives need to be extended in RIIO-ED2 around reducing SF6 and other sources of carbon emissions, and to capture the growing role of DNOs, such as their part in the electrifi cation of transport. And in a digital world, where customers depend on a reliable electricity network for digital services and for charging their electric vehicles, it is no longer satisfactory not to count any interruptions of power shorter than three minutes. We've heard how smart, fl exible networks are needed that make full use of services from DERs, but it is important to recognise even short interruptions of fi ve seconds can take distributed generation offl ine. At scale, such as during a storm, this can mean such distributed generation isn't available when most needed. I N D U S T RY I N S I G H T RIIO-ED2: a unique opportunity for change? ENTRY DEADLINE: 29th November 2019