PNDC is delighted to announce the renewal of its strategic partnership with UK Power Networks for another three years. This collaboration builds on more than a decade of joint innovation to advance whole-systems solutions and accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future.
As an industry-facing innovation centre at the University of Strathclyde, PNDC plays a pivotal role in speeding up the commercialisation of net zero solutions across the energy and transport sectors. With its unique, safe, and controlled testing environment—the only one of its kind in the UK—PNDC enables groundbreaking innovation for energy grid development. By offering open access to expertise across the University of Strathclyde, PNDC collaborates with consumer groups, technology developers, software companies, and energy suppliers, delivering invaluable insights into the energy supply chain, from SMEs to large-scale industrial partners.
PNDC’s significant contributions are evident in its involvement with 20% of collaborative programmes in one round of Beta within a £70 million portfolio of awarded Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) projects. PNDC supports all its Distribution Network Operator (DNO) partners in showcasing the critical role of the innovation ecosystem in achieving net zero goals.
Collaborative Innovation
The renewed partnership with UK Power Networks will focus on maximising the impact of UK Power Networks innovation portfolio, which spans six key theme areas:
Consumer Vulnerability
Net Zero and Energy System Transition
Whole Energy System
Flexibility and Commercial Evolution (DSO)
Proactive Optimised Assets and Practices
Data and Digitalisation
Delivering Real-World Impact
Over the years, the collaboration between PNDC and UK Power Networks has resulted in several innovative and impactful projects:
Constellation
A world-first initiative led by UK Power Networks, the Constellation project installs powerful computers in substations, transforming them into smart hubs capable of analysing millions of data points. These smart substations dynamically reconfigure the network to optimise performance, free up capacity, and support renewable energy generation. The project aims to develop a virtualised, interoperable, and secure system for local intelligence that complements central network management, revolutionising energy grid operations.
Neighbourhood Green
By leveraging PNDC’s real-world testing capabilities and Energy Systems Catapult’s Living Lab, the Neighbourhood Green project evaluated the operational flexibility of low-carbon technologies (LCTs) such as heat pumps and underfloor heating. The insights gained are driving consumer-focused energy innovation and shaping the future of sustainable energy solutions.
Active Response Asset Life Testing
The Active Response project automated the energy network’s reconfiguration to unlock additional capacity, providing a cost-effective alternative to traditional reinforcement works. PNDC’s adaptive testing scope ensured that the project’s findings fed directly into the wider Active Response initiative, addressing challenges and exploring opportunities in deploying conventional low-voltage equipment in automated schemes.
Future Control Room
As energy networks become increasingly digital and flexible, control rooms face challenges in managing vast amounts of data. Through industry engagement and academic expertise, PNDC’s Future Control Room project has informed the evolution of DNO operations, offering specifications and recommendations that will shape plans during RIIO-ED2 and beyond. The project’s next phase will focus on developing intelligent control systems and testing environments for Distribution System Operators (DSO).
A Joint Vision for a Low-Carbon Future
Pictured from left to right: Ellen Sharland, Boris Yazadzhiyan, Dean Mason, Luca Grella, Will Drury, Susannah Garwell, Jack McKellar.
We’re thrilled to continue our long-standing strategic partnership with UK Power Networks, which has delivered several innovative projects to date, demonstrating real-world impact and providing solutions for a smooth transition towards a low-carbon future. As one of the largest energy research clusters in Europe and host to the pioneering Technology & Innovation Centre, our continued collaboration with UKPN builds on the University of Strathclyde’s decades of expertise and reputation in energy.
Through our evidence-based assessment of potential multi-vector systems, we will continue to work closely with UK Power Networks to assess, develop, and demonstrate new whole-system market solutions, contributing to a safe and resilient energy network and supporting a just Net Zero transition. Our work supports Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) in gaining a robust evidence base to better understand the supply chain’s ability to help them deliver on net-zero goals.
Being part of the University of Strathclyde and leveraging our partnership with UK Power Networks enables us to demonstrate quadruple helix collaboration—bringing together industry, academia, government, and consumers. This approach allows us to drive cross-sector collaboration, ensuring that innovation is at the forefront of achieving net zero.
Our partnership with the PNDC has a proud track record of delivering impactful innovation, and so we’re delighted to be continuing our relationship. It gives us access to a wealth of academic knowledge as well as a world-class facility to test new equipment in a risk-free environment.
About UK Power Networks
UK Power Networks is the country’s largest electricity distribution network operator, delivering power to more than 8.3 million homes and businesses across London, the South East, and the East of England. UKPN is at the forefront of energy innovation, committed to enabling the energy transition and supporting the UK’s net zero ambitions.
About PNDC
PNDC, part of the University of Strathclyde, is a world-class, industry-facing innovation centre that accelerates the development and commercialisation of advanced energy and transport solutions. With a focus on collaboration between industry, government, academia and consumers, PNDC bridges the gap between research and practical application, driving innovation in the energy sector to achieve net zero targets.
Contact us to discuss partnership opportunities.