£8m project will find ways to protect power supplies from extreme weather

Northern Powergrid has received funding through the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) to develop solutions to protect customers’ power supplies from risks including storms and other extreme weather conditions.

The company, which delivers power to more than 3.9 million homes and businesses across Yorkshire, the North East and northern Lincolnshire, will lead the MultiResilience project, exploring how to improve the reliability and robustness of the UK’s power grid.

SIF is an Ofgem programme managed in partnership with Innovate UK.

Northern Powergrid’s MultiResilience project will tackle how electricity network operators can address challenges posed by climate change.

The project will develop new methods to manage and mitigate for the impact of severe weather and other risks, ensuring communities remain connected and the power stays on.

Northern Powergrid will work alongside Smarter Grid Solutions, TNEI, and Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) to deliver the initiative.

Dr Bart de Leeuw, head of innovation at Northern Powergrid, said: “This presents us with a unique opportunity to play a role in safeguarding the future of electricity distribution across the UK.

“The SIF award will enable us to develop solutions that protect our customers’ power supplies and minimise disruption, as climate change continues to create new challenges.

“Working with our partners, well be focusing on finding co-ordinated and cost-effective ways to improve the grid resilience, so customers continue to receive a safe and reliable electricity supply, whatever the conditions.”

Frank Clifton, innovation manager at SSEN, said: “This is a critical step towards ensuring our electricity networks are prepared for the future.

“A collaborative approach is key to developing solutions that benefit all UK energy consumers.

“By working together on the MultiResilience project, we can share knowledge, expertise, and resources and build a more, sustainable power network that will protect customers from interruptions and deliver more reliable power supplies to homes and businesses.”