In this month’s Energy:2030 we focus on innovation. In our comment we take a look at how the innovation stimulus arrangements have developed here in GB in the energy sector, with a specific focus on the DNOs, and the learnings that can be discerned as Ofgem prepares to refocus the arrangements for RIIO-2.

Ofgem issued the first of two working papers on aspects of the Significant Code Review in September, and we look at this from the angle of flexibility procurement given the importance of this work-stream for future networks. More generally, interest in flexibility platforms is noticeably increasing, and we look at a new Ofgem insight paper; we also take a look at two Piclo white papers on piloting a flexibility marketplace and the potential investment opportunities.

In our low-carbon section we consider two recent moves by government-sponsored agencies accelerate innovation to help deliver net zero. The first is in the transport sector, where UKRI has announced five projects that aim to remove barriers to clean transport, while Energy Systems Catapult has also awarded funding to five SMEs working on innovative heating and cooling solutions.

In Europe, German regulator Bundesnetzagentur has announced that it has approved terms and conditions for the future capacity reserve. This is very different to our own stalled capacity market and is more like the old National Grid strategic reserve.

In the US the New York system operator is backing significant power market redesign programmes, and we take a look at some of these. The system operator in New England, meanwhile, has launched a project to provide market participants with better tools to manage Financial Transmission Rights.

In Australia, we look at an important proposal to integrate demand response into the NEM as a staging post to a full two-sided market, as well as at a project to develop a market framework post 2025 that will support reliability.

Finally, we present a scene setter on the electricity market landscape in Japan post Fukushima and highlight some recent changes in policy designed to accelerate low-carbon outcomes.

For more information, to request a free trial or to discuss subscription options please contact Energy2030@cornwall-insight.com.