Issue link: https://fhpublishing.uberflip.com/i/883776
NETWORK / 5 / OCTOBER 2017 L E A D E R C O M M E N T The message coming out of Ofgem is clear: RIIO-2 is going to be tough, and networks will be expected to deliver more for less. No longer are networks shielded from the glare of public scrutiny by their more controversial peers in energy supply and generation. A slew of recent reports highlighting networks' pro• ts have in uenced the public consciousness, as has Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn's policy of renationalisation. And, with Professor Dieter Helm's cost of energy review set to report back on the entire energy value chain at the end of this month, the pressure is unlikely to stop here. It's good news, then, that networks have become adept at using innovation to deliver value for customers. Network's Asset Performance conference highlighted some of the many ways DNOs and GDNs are making smart use of resources and new technology. Take UK Power Networks, which is using information gathered by LIDAR technology to prioritise its tree-cutting programme according to where vegetation could cause the most disruption to end customers; or National Grid, which is sending drones into inaccessible gas pipes for asset testing and evaluation. There were tantalising prospects of how innovation could go even further, with Northern Gas Networks' Keith Owen asking the excellent question of what would happen "if you can use this smart [grid] technology to take just a few percentage points o' [peak gas demand]?" Technology has changed the game for networks' core business of building, maintaining and optimising assets. Yet with the great advantages, come risks. As the management of infrastructure comes to rely increasingly on data, the security and integrity of that data is critical. Networks, once builders of infrastructure, must become guardians and interpreters of data. For networks to have the freedom and investment required to continue the rapid development of their skills, experience and technology with regard to new ways of managing infrastructure, continued innovation funding in the next round of RIIO is essential. C OMING SO ON ∙ Demand side response • Energy storage • Low Carbon Networks Conference 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: ellenbennett@fav-house.com the freedom and investment required to continue the rapid development of their skills, experience and technology with regard to new ways of managing infrastructure, continued innovation funding in the next round Ellen Bennett ellenbennett@fav-house.com