Ofgem has announced the winners of its annual Network Innovation Competitions.

The energy regulator is providing up to £57.5 million across seven projects this year, with the intention of introducing new technologies and services to benefit consumers.

Projects to be undertaken include Northern Gas Networks examining whether the UK’s gas networks can safely transport 100% hydrogen gas and SGN using advanced robotics to lower the environmental and financial impacts of carrying out street works.

UK Power Networks will use the funding to develop automated technology to squeeze more capacity out of local electricity networks, whereas Western Power Distribution plans to develop new ways of supporting flexibility market forecasting.

SP Energy Networks will undertake two projects – trialling a European market for providing flexibility services and testing whether advanced transformers can be used by low carbon generators to release more capacity.

Finally, work to develop and trial markets for the provision of flexibility services on electricity distribution networks will be undertaken by Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks.