Water & Wastewater Treatment

" " The tradi onal roles and responsibili es of network companies are changing as we move towards a more decentralised, flexible energy system. Industry is working closely with BEIS and Ofgem to facilitate this transi on in a way that meets the interests of customers As the representa ve body for the UK's networks, Energy Networks Associa on (ENA) has launched a major programme of work to bring together network operators across the transmission and distribu on level, as DNOs take on increasing system operator func ons to become Distribu on System Operators (DSO). The TSO-DSO project will apply a whole system approach to the challenges and opportuni es associated with dynamic opera on of the distribu on network as the scale of DSO ac vity increases in the coming years. Through this work we will consider opera onal issues as well as the need to align regulatory incen ves to deliver whole- system benefits and ensure a fair and consistent framework for all flexibility providers. It is vital that we put the needs of customers at the centre of this work to ensure that they get the greatest possible benefit from a more flexible energy system. In considering energy challenges from a whole-system perspec ve, and looking across the power, heat and transport sectors, there is a need to recognise the implica ons for gas transmission and distribu on too. In the UK we benefit from an extensive gas network, and making efficient use of that infrastructure will be crucial to mee ng our energy policy objec ves in an affordable and secure way. Virtually every major policy decision on power, heat and transport affects both energy vectors and gas will have a full role to play in a smart energy future. Gas network innova on being carried out by GDNs is improving our technical understanding of the contribu on that green gas, such as hydrogen, can make to overcome the challenge of mee ng heat demand in a low carbon future. Again, these solu ons place the interests of customers first by offering a non-disrup ve and rela vely affordable low carbon heat op on when considered against alterna ves. CEO column: David Smith, chief execu ve, ENA James Veaney, head of electricity connec ons and constraint management, Ofgem "The need for DNOs to work more closely with others in the energy system is a core part of the transi on that has already started to a more ac ve 'distribu on system operator' (DSO) role." Daniel Westerman, head of network management, Na onal Grid Electricity Transmission "An industry that talks to itself properly and really makes sure it understands one another's needs can make it a whole lot simpler and can avoid the need to overly prescribe itself in terms of things like standards and rulesets, especially at a me when we are trying to go through a transi on." 12 | Book your free ckets today www.u lityweeklive.co.uk

• Cover