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NETWORK / 36 / NOVEMBER 2017 INNOVATION S mall business innovators with novel technologies are disrupting the energy sec- tor, bringing benefits to custom- ers and accelerating UK energy system transformation. This was the resounding mes- sage from the UK Energy Innova- tion Awards 2017 which took place at the Titanic Hotel in Liverpool. More than 350 guests from the energy sector and innovation community attended the glittering ceremony, organised by the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC), for the eighth year running. Opening proceedings, Jona - than Brearley, senior partner, networks from energy industry regulator Ofgem, said: "There were some really interesting entries across the 12 categories in this year's awards. What is really clear to me is how much of a difference new technology and approaches can make to improv - ing the overall efficiency of our energy system." For a full list of the winners visit https://tinyurl.com/y9qgrufk A 3D asset management system that enables elec- tricity network operators (DNOs) to "walk through" their network won the 'Best Electricity Network Improvement' Award at this year's UK Energy Innovation Awards. Yorkshire based NM Group took home the award for its Caydence service. The system can be used by DNOs to pinpoint where vegetation is growing too close to power lines, creat - ing efficiencies and improving collaboration when managing vegetation risk. Caydence has been a concept since 2014 and has gone through a number of iterations before becoming the 3D asset manage - ment system it is today. Tim Hustwayte, senior client manager at NM Group, explained the benefits the soœware brings to electricity network operators: "Caydence can improve efficiency and reduce the scope for error when planning vegetation cut - ting. This means more accurate costings for vegetation manage- ment activity and it helps focus effort to the highest priority areas which leads to less outages. It also enables a desktop assess - ment of the network prior to any field activity. More work can be done in the office reducing the cost of site visits in many cases. "Overall, the soœware helps utilities access comprehensive, visual data about their networks. Better access to data means more informed decision making and that increases efficiency for an organisation." The company has worked closely with both UK Power Net - works and Scottish and Southern Networks which has helped refine the 3D soœware. "Our DNO clients have been really important in helping us to improve the Caydence soœware," remarked Hustwayte. "Both DNOs were interested in a method to better target and drive cost reductions in the manage - ment of vegetation. This objective would lower spend and reduce NM Group recognised AMONG THE WINNERS WERE… Best Innovation Contributing to Quality & Reliability of Electricity Supply CAPULA A real challenge within the industry is upgrading outdated substation control systems, which can produce ongoing disturbances to supply. Drawing from their deep knowledge as a systems integration specialist, Capula developed IMPERIUM to maintain the consistency of the electrical supply while upgrading sub-station controls. The judges stated that Capula stabilises the growing call for power with security of supply and therefore provided greater reliability for customers. Best Innovation Implemented or Adopted by a Utility Contractor TEAM FURMANITE LTD Furmanite is a front-runner in plant and pipeline maintenance. Team Furmanite's high- pressure fibre composite repair, FurmaCarbon, is a top-quality method to fix and restore pipes, tanks and more - even where damage is substantial. FurmaCarbon's composite repair solutions are designed to benefit industries (from gas, to power generation, oil and beyond) by providing permanent repairs and keeping equipment functioning for longer, all with minimal impact on productivity. Best Smart Grid Innovation VCHARGE UK LTD Night storage heaters do not have a great reputation for offering customers quality heating when needed. However, VCharge UK Ltd look set to change general opinion, after thoughtfully modifying and improving storage heater controls, and installing these heaters into a tower block in Newcastle. The improved heater controls enabled customers to set their desired heating temperature room by room. This reduced energy costs and also increased the comfort levels of all residents. VCharge received excellent occupant feedback, clearly demonstrating the solution's beneficial impact. VCharge has accomplished the challenge of enabling customers to control their heating, and balancing the frequency of the network, with renewable electricity supply. Disruptive technologies highlighted The UK Energy Innovation Awards provided an opportunity for SMEs and high-growth innovative businesses to showcase their energy innovations and to promote their skills and technologies to the networks.