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NET WORK AWARDS NETWORK / 14 / OCTOBER 2019 Innovation Project of the Year - Gas Gas networks are using innovation funding from Ofgem's Network Innovation Competition (NIC) and Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) to help reshape the operational and techni- cal performance of the sector. This award will recognise outstanding gas projects that have received innovation funding. The judges will be looking for: Projects that have produced quantifi able benefi ts for customers and other stakehold- ers Projects that have the potential to create benefi ts across the industry, where learnings have been effectively shared Projects that have created genuine business change, with fi ndings successfully embedded into business as usual. Partnership Initiative of the Year At all stages of the supply chain, the industry is pioneering effective partnerships between network operators, SMEs, contractors and subcontractors. Working closely through partnerships can produce major improvements in effi ciency, customer service and overall performance. This award will recognise an alliance, or other form of collaborative partnership, that has delivered outstanding benefi ts in the last year. The judges will be looking for: Evidence of the benefi ts of collaborative working Partnerships that have delivered quantifi able benefi ts for all their partners, for customers and for other stakeholders Evidence of longevity and a commitment to the partnership's future, where appropriate. uct creates, for the business, its customers and other stakeholders Evidence of applicability across the industry: could this product or technology help more than one network business? The 'Gamechanger' Award (for new products/technologies) - Non-Net- works Network companies are now working with a wider range of companies and technology providers, including those with new business models, that want to enter the energy market. This is paving the way for quicker and better solutions to managing the networks. This award will recognise a non-network company that has developed a product or technology which is being used by a network to help them with their operations. The judges will be looking for: Evidence of innovation – does this product or technology help networks do something genuinely new or different, that is helping them with their operations? Quantifi able evidence of the benefi t the prod- uct/technology creates, for the business, its customers and other stakeholders Evidence of applicability across the industry: could this product or technology help more than one network business? Network of the Year Network companies not only have a primary duty to serve their customers well today, but are also asked to prepare for the energy sys- tem of tomorrow through innovative practices, the smart use of technology and dynamic change to their business models. Stakeholder Engagement Initiative of the Year Stakeholder engagement is a core element of RIIO1, with signifi cant reputational and fi nancial incentives. The enhanced emphasis on engagement under the RIIO framework has led to better engagement between network companies and their stakeholders. This award recognises breakthroughs in stake- holder engagement, and seeks examples of where networks have gone above and beyond their statutory requirements. The judges will be looking for: Quantifi able evidence of how engagement has benefi ted stakeholders Evidence of going beyond regulatory require- ments and business as usual Evidence of how the engagement, or the learnings/benefi ts from the engagement, will be embedded into the business in future The 'Gamechanger' Award (for new products/technologies) - Networks As energy networks prepare for a radically different future, they are seeking new products and technologies that will help them meet changing customer needs effi ciently and ef- fectively. This award will recognise the new technology or product that is most likely to change the game for networks, with potential to create lasting benefi ts for the business, its customers and other stakeholders. The judges will be looking for: Evidence of innovation – does this product or technology help utilities do something genuinely new or different, that goes beyond business as usual? Quantifi able evidence of the benefi t the prod-