Developing components for smart energy systems: apply for funding

Smart energy systems are revolutionising the way we use and store energy. They will help electricity grids to cope with uneven generation from renewable energy sources and make a significant contribution to reducing carbon emissions.

Smart systems can intelligently link energy supply, storage and use. They are a huge opportunity for UK businesses. Around $2 trillion a year is invested in global energy infrastructure.

UK businesses and researchers can apply for a share of up to £3 million to support projects to develop important technology components that improve the efficiency of local energy systems.

The funding is available through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund’s Prospering from the Energy Revolution Challenge.

Projects should improve local grid efficiency

The competition aims to fund projects that investigate innovative components that would improve the efficiency of local energy systems.

Areas supported could include:

• applications for monitoring gas and electricity hardware and software
• improving integration between local and national electricity networks and markets
• optimisation of generation in real time across many sites, operators and aggregators
• improving efficiency of heat networks
• heating and cold storage, especially inter-seasonal
• optimising the coupling of electricity, heat and transport

Funding is available for feasibility studies and for larger research and development projects.

Competition information

• the competition opens on 22 July 2019, and the deadline for applications is at midday on 9 October 2019
• businesses of any size may apply
• we expect projects to range in size between £100,000 and £500,000