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NETWORK / 17 / NOVEMBER 2019 DIGITALISATION FUTURE OF FLEXIBILITY Who: Kaluza INNOVATION: THE KALUZA PLATFORM How it is impacting the industry: Kaluza, part of the OVO Energy Group, uses machine learn- ing (Artifi cial Intelligence) to analyse consumer behaviours along with real-time market sig- nals to activate storage systems and chargers, alleviating grid pressures at peak times and reducing carbon emissions by turning homes into "'mini power stations"'. Who: Outram Research INNOVATION: REAL TIME FAULT LEVEL MONITOR How it is impacting the industry: An alternative to the use of computer modelling to estimate network fault levels, the Real Time Fault Level Monitor (RTFLM) hardware can test and meas- ure a network's prospective fault level results in real time, at low voltage and medium voltage up to 33kV. Using ground-breaking technol- ogy, the RTFLM will increase network safety, reducing the risk of operating above design limits, and giving a greater understanding of the network fault level. Who: Synthotech INNOVATION: SYSTEM TWO ASSESS & SEAL SOLUTION (STASS) How it is impacting the industry: This robotics project, developed in conjunction with Northern Gas Networks, uses a robotic crawler to assess the con- dition of joints in live cast iron mains gas pipes from the inside. The device then sprays sealant fluid into the joint as a leak prevention technique to prevent future losses, all the while reducing roadworks and the impact on the customer. Who: Steve Vick International INNOVATION: ENHANCED SEAL (E-SEAL) How it is impacting the industry: E-SEAL aims to deliver an innovative technique to safely and effi ciently abandon unwanted sections of T1 (smaller diameter) gas mains from the larger T2 or T3 pipes, important if leakage problems are to be avoided in the future. It uses CCTV technology and accurate measurements to record the pipe's internal diameter, allowing the abandoned Tier 1 pipe to be sealed at the last transition joint with the main pipe. The award-winning technique signifi cantly reduces disruption to customers, while reducing environmental impact by reducing the size of excavations. The project has created over £3 million in savings benefi ts to date. Who: PassivSystems INNOVATION: THE FREEDOM PROJECT AND HYBRID CONTROL PLATFORM How it is impacting the industry: The Freedom Project was a joint £5.2 million innovation ini- tiative delivered by Western Power Distribution, Wales and West Utilities, and PassivSystems, a smart energy management software company. The project concluded in January 2019. Based at the £5m "living heat laboratory" initiative in Bridgend in Wales, the project partners in- stalled hybrid gas and electric heating systems in 75 residential properties, consisting of an air source heat pump and high-effi ciency gas boilers, giving households the option to use either fuel or both. The project successfully demonstrated the signifi cant benefi ts, in terms of both decarbonisation and lower customer bills, of an integrated whole energy systems approach. Who: Turbo Power Systems INNOVATION: BI-DIRECTIONAL DC-DC CONVERTERS How it is impacting the industry: Turbo Power Systems has developed a ground-breaking range of advanced bi-directional EV charger converters, designed to give back power to the National Grid while allowing EVs to charge. Who: Egnida Group Ltd INNOVATION: SCALABLE ONLINE SYSTEM How it is impacting the industry: Egnida Group provides an intelligent tool called Project Reach that is able to identify UK properties that might be in "'fuel poverty". The tool is also able to calculate how individual households could lower their fuel spending by providing options for lower carbon energy, and also identifying any associated funding they might benefi t from. Who: GenGame INNOVATION: ACE PROJECT How it is impacting the industry: GenGame's three-year trial with Northern Powergrid, the ACE Project, an acronym for Activating Customer Engagement, is a vision of using gamifi cation to achieve voluntary customer participation in domestic demand side re- sponse (DSR), or fl exibly altering consumption patterns in real-time at times of stress on the main electricity system. As a fully established business, GenGame's customers include a French energy effi ciency company, a UK disag- gregation start-up, and an Internet of Things hardware provider. Meet the energy innovators The ninth UK Energy Innovation Awards returned in September 2019, with 12 new categories to re• ect a rapidly changing industry. Hosted by the EIC, this year's awards highlighted the crucial role of innovators and SMEs in supporting the UK to meet its net zero targets for greenhouse gas emission by 2050. From arti… cial intelligence AI that puts power in the hands of the consumer, to tools that identify those residents in 'fuel poverty', here are nine innovators changing the energy industry. Who: GenGame