Scotland is aiming to position itself as a low carbon technologies hub by 2020 after first minister Nicola Sturgeon today announcing a £60 million Innovation Fund to support battery storage and other low carbon energy infrastructure.
Smart charging can be used to provide the flexibility needed to manage the growing demand on local grids prompted by rising take-up of electric vehicles, according to the initial findings of a landmark study.
Electric vehicle motorists in grid constrained areas of the UK could soon see quick charge hubs powered by batteries, with Connected Energy using second life batteries from Renault to offer fast charging in regions with costly connection charges.
National Grid has said that ‘pinch points’ in both local distribution grids and household electrical set-ups could slow the transition to electric vehicles in the UK.
Centrica has further boosted its new energy technologies credentials after £200,000 was invested in artificial intelligence (AI) start-up Grid Edge by the company’s energy focused impact investment fund Ignite.
The Energy Networks Association has launched a new consultation seeking views on modernising flexibility markets which it says are “no longer fit for purpose”.
Innogy, the German clean power firm that owns Npower, has said it wants to “drive the energy transition forward” after its grids and renewables arms positioned themselves for growth.
Germany’s E.On has said it plans to invest significantly to expand its position in the “new energy world”, taking the company into its “next phase” of development.
