In its strategy document ‘Towards 2030′ National Grid sets out ambitious, and very welcome, plans to take on the challenge of transforming the UK’s energy system. It says, “As the System Operator for Great Britain, we are privileged to sit…
Editor’s blog
OPINION: It’s time to act on decarbonising heat
by New Power • • Comments Off
The beginnings of work on RIIO 2 have rightly become the focus for some much-needed discussion about how the UK can decarbonise its heat industry – which for the majority of domestic customers means gas piped to the property.…
The game changer
by New Power • • 3 Comments
Volkswagen has decided to enter the electricity supply market, initially to charge electric vehicles – supplying both the ‘fuel’ and the infrastructure – but soon as an electricity supplier in its own right. This could be the game-changer the electricity…
What has the Capacity Market ever done for us?
by New Power • • 1 Comment
What has the Capacity Market (CM) ever done for us? The Capacity Market certainly has not done what it was intended to do – bring forward large new gas-fired power plants. But it has done what it was not intended…
SSE and Npower and the failed merger: devil in the detail
by New Power • • Comments Off
The merger between retail functions at SSE and Npower has failed and maybe that’s no surprise. It’s perhaps the worst time for a merger of the industry’s big players – no matter how much both the players want the chance…
Is the aim of the smart meter programme just to save money?
by New Power • • 1 Comment
The National Audit Office, in its latest report on smart meters, has asked whether the rollout will save money for customers. That’s a good question for the NAO to ask and its uncertainty over whether consumers will see their energy…
Grab some easy wins on heat
by New Power • • Comments Off
A huge amount of heat is wasted in the UK and it’s great to see that BEIS has made £18 million in grants available to reduce waste from at least one source – industrial waste heat. BEIS has offered to…
Should we underwrite new gas storage? Think about the ‘smart, flexible’ system plan first
by New Power • • 2 Comments
Once again gas suppliers are arguing that consumers should underwrite more gas storage for Great Britain. The argument is that GB ‘nearly’ ran out of gas during the ‘Beast from the East’, and the BEIS Select Committee has duly announced…
Don’t mention the margin
by New Power • • Comments Off
It’s that time of year again. The leaves are falling, the big coats are coming out and people take a personal vow not to turn on the heating until October. Politicians who have responsibility for energy turn to thoughts of…
Electric vehicle users will have choice under Ofgem’s new charging proposals. What about the fuel-poor?
by New Power • • Comments Off
Ofgem’s proposed new charging regime for electricity networks hit the headlines this month because it suggested that electric vehicle users might be asked to pay more if they want to be guaranteed the right to charge the vehicle at peak…