Bright Spark

This is the second of two episodes exploring SMEs - their diversity, the unique strengths they bring compared with larger organisations, and how they can get started - so, if you’ve not listened to part one yet - go back and listen to part one first.

In this episode, Emilia Cardente speaks to Elinor Doubell, a Scale Up Director within Innovate UK Business Growth, and Nikita Dabizha, founder and CEO of Voltquant, a great example of an SME that has benefited from the support of SIF.

In this episode, Emilia, Commercial Lead on the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) programme, is joined by Paul, Head of Commercial for SIF, to explore how SMEs can navigate the energy innovation ecosystem and turn promising ideas into commercially successful solutions.

They discuss the vital role SMEs play in transforming the energy system, the opportunities created by grid investment, and how organisations, such as Innovate UK, and programmes like the SIF, support innovation. The conversation explores the importance of understanding network challenges, building strong relationships and securing investment.

This episode is full of practical advice for...

Energy Networks are becoming more distributed and complex. Electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNO) are at the sharp end of this evolution and their capabilities to manage such systems need to transform at pace.

Joe Davidson, Energy Systems Innovation Lead at SIF, spoke with Northern Powergrid and Faculty AI to find out more about the work of their Artificial Forecasting Beta project.

Artificial Forecasting, led by Northern Powergrid, is developing a tool that will transform load forecasting capabilities, enable the more optimal procurement of flexibility, and maximise the use of existing network capacity. They will also...

In this episode Jodie talks to Marzia Zafar, Deputy Director for Digitalisation and Innovation at Ofgem, and Laura Sandys CBE, Chair of the Energy Network Innovation Taskforce, about the SIF’s new programmatic approach to delivering transformational Innovation in the next five year price control.

The programmatic approach has two aspects: Firstly, the Energy Network Innovation Taskforce brought together industry innovation teams and leaders from the energy network sector and beyond. Their role: to identify ambitious, long-term and outcome driven challenges to bring strategic focus to the SIF for the five-year RIIO-3 price control period.

Se...

Climate change means that more extreme weather is going to hit Great Britain. It is vital that we do our best to understand and predict the risks to build resilience in the energy sector.

Nicolas Wallet, energy systems innovation lead at SIF, caught up with James Daniel, Alanna Gluck, and Amit Bhave, to find out more about the work of their Climate Resilience Demonstrator (CReDo+), beta project.

CReDO+, led by UK Power Networks, is developing a tool that will bring data and expert knowledge together to help networks and regulators see where resilience spending will...

In this episode of Bright Spark we look back at the Strategic Innovation Fund's successes across 2025 and give a preview of what’s in store for 2026.

Across 2025 the SIF continued to fund transformational innovation projects. We received 391 applications, 70% of these were funded, with £25.7 million pounds of funding approved for 40 innovation projects.

In 2026 we are looking forward to the start of the RIIO 3 price control for NESO, gas networks and electricity transmission. Find out how the SIF team has been working with our Ofgem colleagues to influence change, and what’s in store from the SIF as we...

In this first episode of a two-part series, we explore what commercialisation and deployment mean within the Strategic Innovation Fund, and how the SIF team is working to drive impact at scale across the energy system through funded innovation. We explore the SIF team's internal framework for assessing projects, along with the support the team provides to networks and third-party innovators to help embed new solutions. The conversation also covers network culture, the price control mechanism, and why pace and delivering value for billpayers are crucial. Stay tuned for Part Two, which will focus on what it takes to...

What is the future of network resilience and preparedness?

Ellen Webb-Moore, energy systems innovation lead at SIF, visits the headquarters of SP Energy Networks to learn about two projects that both address resilience and preparedness, from different angles. 

First, Fraser Lynch joins Ellen to talk about Predict 4 Resilience (P4R) - a SIF beta-funded tool that will predict outages and faults on the network using weather and other data, to mobilise personnel and proactively prepare resources ahead of severe and disruptive weather events. 

In the second half of the episode, Daniel Barlow and Ag...

Join Jim and Laura for the second instalment of this two-part series on consumer-led flexibility, explored through the SIF funded Crowdflex project. The project examines how households can actively support grid balancing—whether by shifting their energy use to different times or enabling smart, automated control of their electric vehicles.

In this episode, SIF Policy Lead Jim Wrigley is joined by OVO’s Elizabeth Allkins and Ohme’s Rosie Knight, both project partners in Crowdflex acting as Demand Side Response Service Providers (DSRSPs). Together, they discuss what flexibility looks like from a customer’s perspective and consider the vital ro...

Join Jim and Laura for the second instalment of this two-part series on consumer-led flexibility, explored through the SIF funded Crowdflex project. The project examines how households can actively support grid balancing—whether by shifting their energy use to different times or enabling smart, automated control of their electric vehicles.

In this episode, SIF Policy Lead Jim Wrigley is joined by OVO’s Elizabeth Allkins and Ohme’s Rosie Knight, both project partners in Crowdflex acting as Demand Side Response Service Providers (DSRSPs). Together, they discuss what flexibility looks like from a customer’s perspective and consider the vital ro...

Join Jim and Laura for a two-part series diving into the future of consumer-led energy flexibility, through the lens of the SIF-funded Crowdflex project. The project explores how households can play an active role in balancing the electricity grid—whether by shifting when they use power or by making their electric vehicles available for smart, automated control.

In part one, SIF Policy Lead Jim Wrigley sits down with Cathy Fraser, Head of Market Requirements at the National Energy System Operator (NESO). Together, they unpack why domestic flexibility matters, and how projects like Crowdflex are helping to build co...

Join Jodie, Laura and Joe as they discuss the SIF’s Round 5 strategic challenges, which reflect the most urgent opportunities for energy network innovation. 

Find out about our ideation webinars and workshops, bringing innovators together with networks and other third parties to explore potential solutions and project ideas. Learn about how you can engage with the SIF team throughout the year via our SIF Round 5 Expression of Interest form.

There are so many opportunities to get involved, find out more about SIF, and drive development of new SIF project ideas. Come and join us on the jour...

INCENTIVE is the first SIF Beta project to reach completion. In this episode, members of the INCENTIVE team share their learnings and future plans with us. 

As the first project to complete, dissemination of their outcomes - including collaboration, continuity of the work and deployment of the technology after the SIF funding stops - provides valuable insights, especially for other Beta projects. 

In this episode, SIF programme director Jodie Giles speaks with energy systems innovation lead Suraj Paneru.

We also welcome INCENTIVE partners Robert Keast from the Carbon Trust, Callum Henderson from SSE, an...

As the UK increases deployment of net zero technologies, gas demand is anticipated to fall significantly. Some gas networks may be repurposed, with projects like Project Union developing a hydrogen transmission backbone. SIF funds hydrogen projects to assess future applications. In this Bright Spark episode, SIF's Beth Foster visits FutureGrid at DNV Spadeadam, Cumbria, where research on hydrogen transport and blending supports full-scale conversion.

Links:

National Gas Future Grid: www.nationalgas.com/future-energy/futuregrid

For more on the Strategic Innovation Fund: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

See the SIF programme page...

This episode of Bright Spark looks back at the Strategic Innovation Fund's successes and lessons over 2024, and asks what's in the pipeline for 2025.

Last year was a busy year; the team awarded 88 projects, and a further 12 demonstration projects, and approved over £100million in funding.

SIF programme director Jodie Giles is joined for this one by Head of Delivery Kate Jones and Head of Commercial Paul Padaruth.

For more on the Strategic Innovation Fund: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

See the SIF programme page on Innovate UK, Business Connect website: Ofgem Strategic I...

The recently-launched Net Zero Research Village (NeRV) near Gateshead is the UK’s first facility for combined whole-systems research, development and demonstration – covering gas, electricity and water.

In this episode of Bright Spark, Kate Jones, SIF's Head of Delivery, visits NeRV. She is given a tour by Richard Hynes Cooper, Head of Innovation at Northern Gas Networks.

Also at NeRV is Joseph Davidson, Energy Systems Innovation Lead at Ofgem SIF, who catches up on recent and upcoming policy developments with Luke Ames Blackaby, Ofgem's Innovation Hub head.

Links:

NeRV website: https://ukner...

What can SIF projects do to ensure they maximise their impact and influence?

As we reach the Fund's midway point and award our second tranche of larger 'Beta' funding, programme director Jodie Giles speaks with SIF advisory board members Maxine Frerk (chair) and John McKiernan.

Links and onward journeys:

For more on the Strategic Innovation Fund: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

See the SIF programme page on Innovate UK, Business Connect website: Ofgem

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Big changes are coming to the Strategic Innovation Fund. From September, it will be easier and quicker to bid for funding, and there will be more opportunities in every year for innovators to get involved.

To explain what's changing and why, SIF programme lead Jodie Giles and Head of Delivery Kate Jones are joined by Ofgem's Marzia Zafar.

Links and onward journeys:

For more on the Strategic Innovation Fund: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

Sign up for regular SIF newsletters.

All past episodes of Bright Spark are at: www...

Carolina Tortora is - or was - a real-life rocket scientist. However, she says she is far more excited by her role as National Grid ESO's Head of Digital Transformation and Innovation Strategy. Carolina took time out to talk to SIF's David Richardson. David and SIF programme lead Jodie Giles also reflect on the role of Carolina and others in whole-system planning for faster and cheaper network transformation.

Links and onward journeys:

For more on the Strategic Innovation Fund: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

Sign up for regular SIF newsletters.

All...

A focus on how enabling power-to-gas (P2G) can improve energy system flexibility and network optimisation. Professor Sarah Walker from Newcastle University’s Centre for Energy, and Anise Ganbold, Head of Research, Global Markets and Hydrogen at Aurora Energy Research, talk to the SIF team. Jodie Giles, SIF programme lead, also considers the importance of P2G.

Links and onward journeys:

For more on the Strategic Innovation Fund: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

Sign up for regular SIF newsletters.

All episodes of Bright Spark are at: www.podfollow.com/brightspark

Professor Keith Bell holds the Scottish Power Chair in Future Power Systems at the University of Strathclyde. In this episode, SIF's David Richardson spends some stuff chatting all things energy transition with Keith. David and SIF programme lead Jodie Giles also reflect on Keith's thoughts about UK’s role as a leader in the energy transition, and his experiences across a long and brilliant career in energy.

Links and onward journeys:

For more on the Strategic Innovation Fund: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

Sign up for regular SIF newsletters.

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Vital Energi are one of the key UK companies looking at heat pumps and energy storage, to unlock power grid flexibility. In this Bright Spark episode, Vital's Technical Development Director Christopher Taylor talks to the SIF team about the way ahead for deploying electric heat. SIF programme lead Jodie Giles also considers how electric heat is an integral part of the energy transition to net zero.

Links and onward journeys:

For more on the Strategic Innovation Fund: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

Sign up for regular SIF newsletters.

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Octopus Energy entered the heat pump market in 2021, with the launch of Britain's first heat pump R&D centre on a Slough trading estate. In this episode of Bright Spark, Octopus's Jess Colleen shows SIF's Manu Ravishankar around the centre. Manu and SIF programme director Jodie Giles consider the challenges faced around energy system flexibility and electrifying heat.

Links and onward journeys:

For more on the Strategic Innovation Fund: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

Sign up for regular SIF newsletters - https://ukri.innovateuk.org/ofgem-sif-subscription-sign-up

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To decarbonise our energy networks, new ideas and technologies must move quickly from 'innovation' to ‘business as usual’. The Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) deliberately brings together fast-moving entrepreneurs with major energy network companies to speed up this journey. In this episode, SIF Head of Commercial Paul Padaruth explores these challenges, in conversations with John McKiernan, head of innovation at Irish utility ESB, Jo-Jo Hubbard, co-founder and CEO of Electron, and Eric Appleton, Incubation Manager at Energy Systems Catapult.

Links and onward journeys:

For more on the Strategic Innovation Fund: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif.

To...

A second episode on the four challenge areas in round 2 of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The £450 million SIF develops and supports innovations that could drive down UK energy’s carbon footprint at lowest cost to consumers. Innovate UK’s Matt Hastings and Manu Ravishankar focus on the challenges of decarbonising major energy demands, and driving up energy system resilience and robustness. Guests are UCL's Professor Liz Varga, Yselkla Farmer of BEAMA, and Rick Curtis from the Greater London Authority. The SIF is an Ofgem programme delivered by Innovate UK: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

The first of two Bright Spark episodes focusing on the four Challenge areas in round 2 of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The £450 million SIF develops and supports innovations that aim to drive down UK energy’s carbon footprint at lowest cost to consumers. In this episode, Innovate UK’s Matt Hastings and Manu Ravishankar look at the challenges of preparing for a net zero power system, and supporting a just energy transition. Guests are Professor Tim Green from Imperial College London, and Ed Rees of Citizens Advice. The SIF is an Ofgem programme delivered by Innovate UK: www.ofgem.go...

What do we really mean by a 'Giant Leap Together'? It conveys what we must do to realise the Strategic Innovation Fund's far-reaching ambition to decarbonise energy networks. The net zero push is nothing short of a moonshot, requiring urgent input from networks, suppliers, investors, regulators, funders, policy-makers, and everyone involved in energy.

In this episode, Innovate UK’s Matt Hastings and Kate Jones hear from Randolph Brazier, the director of innovation and electricity systems at the Energy Networks Association. We also meet Ali Safari, founder and chief executive of Oxford-based artificial intelligence innovators Farad.ai.

 Of...

Showcasing some of the 40 exciting early-stage projects that secured funding in round 1 of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The SIF, which is delivered through a partnership with Innovate UK, is a £450 million programme to fund and support projects to drive down UK energy’s carbon footprint at lowest cost to consumers. With Innovate UK’s Matt Hastings, David Richardson and Kate Jones, and featuring Nick Smith from Northern Gas Networks, Michael Eves from SP Energy Networks, and Simon Langdale from Synovate. Find details of the SIF online at www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund is a £450 million programme to drive down UK energy’s carbon footprint, at lowest cost to consumers. Innovate UK’s Matt Hastings and Chris Coonick introduce us to energy network innovation. We also hear from Ofgem’s Francis Mosley and Graeme Barton on the urgency of decarbonising, and we visit one exciting example of innovation in practice – Energy Superhub Oxford. The Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) is delivered for Ofgem by Innovate UK: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif

This new series dives deep into energy network innovation, and explores opportunities on offer to entrepreneurs, investors and others through Ofgem's Strategic Innovation Fund, delivered by Innovate UK www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif