Wales & West Utilities seeks innovation partner to further support vulnerable customers
Wales & West Utilities, on behalf of the Energy Networks Association (ENA), is seeking a project partner to innovate with in creating a Consumer Vulnerability Impact Assessment Tool.
With the gas and electricity networks in the UK moving to net zero, they are seeking ways to support vulnerable customers through the transition, whilst also understanding the impact that any future innovation projects may have.
The ENA represents gas and electricity networks in the UK which have all been awarded a Network Innovation Allowance (NIA) to fund innovation projects. With the requirement to assess the impact of all new RIIO2 projects on consumers in vulnerable situations, the networks now want to create a simple tool that can be used quickly and easily to produce results that are consistently measured.
Across the UK, gas and electricity networks serve customers and communities of all kinds. We now want an innovation partner to work with us develop a tool to identify the impact of the transition to Net Zero on the most vulnerable in our communities.
We know the importance of innovation in shaping our business and the wider industry. From new engineering tools to new home heating technology, we’ve seen some fantastic outcomes from collaborating with partners since 2013.
Wales & West Utilities is seeking a desktop evaluation tool that can be used as part of a project set up process to assess the potential impact to consumers in vulnerable situations, whilst also identifying how the needs of our vulnerable customers will change in the future.
For more information, please visit wwutilities.co.uk/innovation. Submissions should be made by 16 July 2021.
Wales & West Utilities RIIO-GD2 Business Plan for 2021-2026 will see the company invest £400m to deliver a Net Zero ready gas network by 2035 while looking after the most vulnerable in communities across Wales and south west England.
The company is also committed to playing its part in getting to Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. 30 power stations connected to its network support renewables like wind and solar power while 19 green gas sites inject enough decarbonised green gas to power 130,000 homes, Additionally, company’s network supplies bus garages in three locations across the south west of England, fuelling CNG buses that improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions from public transport.