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UTILITY WEEK | 5TH - 11TH MAY 2017 | 5 ENERGY Engie tariff will be a 'bullet' fired at the big six French energy giant Engie is to launch a domestic energy tariff it claims will be a "bullet" fired at its big six rivals. The company's chief executive, Isabelle Kocher, made the claim in an interview with The Sunday Times. She said the tariff would be competitive despite threats of a government-imposed energy price cap because it would be "embed- ded with the wholesale price". Engie, formerly GDF Suez, plans to link its new domestic energy offering with a broader strategy for city-scale energy services. This might include deals with compa- nies and councils to reduce usage and emissions. Kocher also said that Brexit had not deterred Engie from investing in Britain.w HEAT Hydrogen gas grid for Leeds moves a step closer Plans to convert the gas grid in Leeds to run entirely on hydro- gen have moved a step closer to becoming reality after Northern Gas Networks (NGN) opened an office in the city dedicated to the endeavour. The office has been tasked with delivering innovative projects that prove the case for conversion to hydrogen. NGN opened the site with the help of Leeds City Council to further examine the conversion strategy outlined in its H21 Leeds City Gate study. That research, which was fund- ed through the Network Innovation Allowance, was conducted along- side Wales and West Utilities, and concluded that substituting natural gas with hydrogen in UK networks would be "technically possible and economically viable". 50% Half of microbusinesses with smart meters never check their usage data, according to research by Citizens Advice, which is calling for better information and educa- tion for this customer segment. Market research carried out by Waterwise has found that water retailers need to do more to satisfy demand from non-domestic custom- ers for water efficiency services. See blog "Customers want wa- ter efficiency – but are retailers providing it?" at: utilityweek.co.uk. Water efficiency gap RETAIL WATER COMPANY WATER EFFICIENCY SERVICES (APRIL 2017) Baggs joins WRc Martin Baggs, the for- mer chief executive of Thames Water, has joined the WRc as a non-executive board member. On his appointment, Baggs said he looked forward to working with the board and the executive team at the inno- vation agency to "drive innovation across industry while also providing key services as a trusted independ- ent adviser". APPOINTMENT Water recycling (black water) Alternative sources (boreholes) Greywater reuse Develop a water strategy RWH harvesting Retrofit on site Behaviour/engagement Online tools Leak detection Water audit (on site) Smart metering and online billing 0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14 16 Retail water companies providing service The livery of Cadent, as National Grid Gas Distribution has been rebranded (see story, opposite) has been revealed. The distribution network delivers gas to around 10.9 million customers across England. National Grid completed the sale of a 61 per cent stake in the business in March to a consortium of investors, including Macquarie, valuing Cadent at £13.8 billion.