The grants are part of the UK’s plan to move to smarter energy supplies including smart meters in every home, a smart grid and entire smart cities. The projects are spread across a range of technologies supporting smart grid development including storage, distribution load management, demand response controls and a network platform for a future smart grid site in Glasgow.
According to DECC, the grants will support smart grid development to a total value of GBP7.6m. The eight companies that received the grants are: Energy Optimizers, Arqiva, Highview Power Storage, Rltec, Smart Grid Solutions, National Grid, Scottish Hydro Electric Power and SP Distribution.
Lord Hunt, energy minister of the UK, said: “Globally the business of developing smart grids has been estimated at GBP27bn over the next five years and the UK has the know-how to be part of that. We want to give companies the opportunities and the support to make sure we develop the technologies we need.”
The UK government believes that smart technologies will help manage the massive shift to low carbon electricity such as wind, nuclear and clean fossil fuels. They will mean efficient and reliable delivery of electricity, reducing the costs and emissions from electricity generation and transmission.
