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Programme

Digitalising Energy Programme

Accelerating innovation in digitalising energy flexibility

Energy Systems Catapult and Digital Catapult have partnered to explore the groundwork for a UK-wide initiative to accelerate a digitalised, flexible, net-zero energy system. The Digitalising Energy Flexibility Programme aims to address critical challenges in the deployment of energy flexibility by developing innovative resources and establishing the next phase of support to innovators to drive long-term change.

The challenge

Flexibility in the energy system is key to achieving tens of billions in annual cost savings by 2050 (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero). However, the current system is fragmented, complex and siloed creating significant barriers to innovation. Policymakers and innovators alike face challenges from rapid technological advancements, unclear paths of funding and limited access to integrated tools and frameworks.

The solution

This project will explore how innovative tooling and programme design can enable multi-vector energy flexibility while addressing barriers to entry for innovators. By developing a ‘digital toolkit’ and complementary acceleration support, the initiative will help to reduce uncertainty, foster collaboration, and build a thriving marketplace essential for achieving the UK’s clean power 2030 and net zero 2050 goals.

The project seeks to address how innovators can de-risk their entry into the UK energy sector and build on the ongoing investments in digital infrastructure, in addition to understanding how to attract more UK deep tech innovators to help solve flexibility challenges.

 

Key partners

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 Digital Catapult is a deep tech innovation organisation driving business value by accelerating the application of advanced technologies.    

Partnering with government, industry and academia, we focus on significant challenges and opportunities facing the UK’s economy and society, where technology can play a major role in providing solutions. We break down barriers, de-risk innovation, open up markets and responsibly shape the products, services and experiences of the future. 

Digital Catapult is part of the Innovate UK Catapult Network. Catapults provide a unique combination of cutting-edge R&D facilities and world-class technical expertise to support UK business innovation. 

Visit www.digicatapult.org.uk for more information. 

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Launched in 2015 by Innovate UK, the Catapult has built a team of more than 250 people, with a range of technical, engineering, consumer, commercial, incubation, digital and policy expertise. They draw on sector-leading test facilities, modelling tools, and data collected from our back catalogue of more than 500 research projects.

We use that ‘whole energy’ system capability to support innovative companies — small and large – to test, trial and scale their new products and services. Our impact comes when those innovators attract new customers, new investment and new grants so they can thrive in the future energy system.

Based in Birmingham, Energy Systems Catapult is part of a network of nine world-leading technology and innovation centres, established by Innovate UK. The Catapult Network fosters collaboration between industry, government, research organisations, academia, and many others to transform great ideas into valuable products and services.

Key activities in the programme

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  • Stakeholder interviews and workshops to identify challenges and opportunities.
  • Utilisation of ‘serious gaming’ methodologies to explore motivations and inform programme design principles.
  • A conceptual ‘system of systems’ model to explore data flows, integration challenges, and market dynamics.
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The impact

The Digitalising Energy Flexibility programme will tackle the technical and social challenges faced by innovators in navigating a heavily regulated industry, enabling innovators to identify critical touchpoints and forge the collaborations necessary for success.  

The project utilises the complementary strengths of Digital Catapult and Energy Systems Catapult – combining extensive knowledge of challenges in the energy sector and flexibility systems with advanced insights into deep tech to attract and support innovators entering the energy market. 

This programme aims to:  

  • Attract and support deep tech innovators in the energy sector.  
  • Enable cost savings and efficiencies that contribute to the UK’s net zero targets.  
  • Create a framework for ongoing innovation, collaboration, and market growth.  

By addressing the challenges and opportunities of energy flexibility through a coordinated, innovative approach, this project positions the UK as a global leader in the transition to a net zero energy future.

Get involved now

Be the first to hear about upcoming decarbonisation activities and resources in the Digitalising Energy Flexibility programme now

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