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E D I T O R ' S N O T E Taking responsibility for network assets is no joke. While our energy networks across gas, power and heat provide all the comforts of cosy homes and thriving businesses, they are also a deadly web of infrastructure. Amid talk of energy system transformation and shiny visions of smart grids, it's all too easy to forget that the primary concern of any engineer or operations leader in this sector must be the wellbeing of colleagues and members of the public. Network companies know this and invest heavily in training and communications to promote safety. And yet people still die in incidents involving gas and power assets. There is, therefore, no room for complacency, and an absolute requirement to continu- ally revisit approaches to building health and safety cultures, skills and technologies. Failing to do so not only invites further tragedy, it will also incur increasing • nancial punishment, as Network's Lucinda Dann points out in her exploration of current and future health and safety challenges (p18-25). Despite this need for constant vigilance, however, networks cannot allow fear of the unknown to consume them. The march of progress is relentless and increasingly complex. The time is swi† ly approaching when networks will • nd themselves under pressure not only to keep up with the pace of innovation dem- onstrated in other sectors, but also to interact with the pack they run with – from transport and telecoms to local authorities and housing developers – using the assets of others to balance energy demand and better facilitate decarbonisation. This kind of interaction will bring risk – albeit more • nancial than physical in most cases – but it could also deliver the oppor- tunity to share risk and accelerate energy system transformation. This was a key observation of the National Infrastructure Com- mission's Smart Power report, as we discuss with chief executive Philip Graham (p6-12). It will also form part of the debate at Util- ity Week Live, where Network will celebrate its launch and host The Conversation Live – • nd out more at: www.utilityweeklive.co.uk. Jane Gray janegray@fav-house.com C OMING SO ON ∙ Cyber security ∙ Heat network performance ∙ Utility Week Live review ∙ Future cities YOUR NET W ORK Give the people what they want Let us know what projects, technologies and topics you want us to cover Have your say Express your opinions and respond to content by blogging or writing for the magazine A social Network Follow us on Twitter: @Network_mag Email the editor: janegray@fav-house.com NETWORK / 5 / MAY 2016 janegray@fav-house.com