Bright Spark

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 be the first DNO-led SIF Project to conclude their demonstration phase when their Beta finishes in February 2027.
Links:
Northern Powergrid’s Open Data Portal - https://northernpowergrid.opendatasoft.com/pages/home/
Artificial Forecasting Dissemination page - https://smarter.energynetworks.org/projects/10145998/
SIF website: www.ofgem.gov.uk/sif
Subscribe to the Ofgem SIF newsletter: https://cloud.email.comms.iuk.ukri.org/ofgem-sif-sign-up
Contact the SIF Mailbox if you want to know more, SIF_Ofgem@iuk.ukri.org

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.
Secondly, the introduction of Innovation Delivery Groups to provide a collaboration framework across networks for addressing these Innovation Challenges and ensure accountability to deliver outcomes that reflect customer needs alongside economic growth.
Listen to the conversation to find out more.
· The identified challenges have been published in the ‘Networks Reimagined: Driving innovation for a future energy system’ report - read here
· Find out more about the SIF on the Innovate UK Business Connect webpage
· Sign up to Innovate UK’s regular SIF newsletter

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 make the biggest difference for energy customers.
Find out more about the SIF on the Innovate UK Business Connect Website
Sign up to Innovate UK’s regular SIF newsletter

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 move into this new phase.
SIF programme director Jodie Giles is joined for this one by Head of Delivery Kate Jones, Head of Innovation Laura Glover and Head of Commercial Paul Padaruth.
Find out more about the SIF on our SIF programme page on the Business Connect website
You can also find our new 2025 Annual Report and the latest version of our Project Directory on the SIF programme page
Sign up to the SIF newsletter for regular updates SIF news and events
SIF Round 5 EoI form - share your ideas and expertise with the SIF team
Predict for resilience podcast

Bright Spark is a Bespoken Media production

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 deploy proven innovation at scale across the energy system.
https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/energy-regulation/technology-and-innovation/innovation/strategic-innovation-fund-sif