Eight projects that are expected to make the energy networks in Britain smarter and more cost efficient have been chosen by Ofgem.

They were picked out of 10 entries and will share a £46.4 million fund as part of the regulator’s Network Innovation Competitions (NIC).

The winning projects include developing a robotic device to inspect the condition of hard-to-access gas pipelines and allowing National Grid to explore new ways of keeping the system balanced as more renewables are connected.

Maxine Frerk, Senior Partner for Distribution said: “Energy networks are facing significant challenges in moving to a low carbon future and ensuring costs are kept low for consumers.

“The eight projects receiving funding today have successfully demonstrated that they have real potential to deliver environmental and cost saving benefits.”

The competitions include the Low Carbon Networks (LCN) Fund, the Gas Network Innovation Competition and Electricity NIC.