Celebrating diversity and innovation at the Decentralised Energy Awards
Published: 18 June, 2024
The winners of the prestigious Decentralised Energy Awards hosted by the Association for Decentralised Energy (ADE) were announced recently at a ceremony in Westminster’s Church House, where organisations from across the energy sector came together to celebrate this year’s achievements. A citywide heat network, the world’s smartest university campus and schemes to transform the heat networks and flexibility markets were all among those receiving awards.
The awards exist to highlight best practice within the sector and ensure that the fantastic innovation and hard work undertaken in the industry is recognised and appreciated.
The award winners are:
Heat Project Award, sponsored by Amberside Advisors
The Bristol Heat Network from Vattenfall Heat UK and Bristol City Leap took home the ‘Heat Project Award’ trophy. The project which offers a huge, citywide approach and prioritises social value and community engagement, will deliver reliable heat to Bristol through its innovative technologies – aiming to provide 120GWh of low carbon heat across the city by 2038. It is the scale of ambition that makes this project stand out, leading the way in the heat network industry through its process of partnering, financing and expansion.
Energy Efficiency Award, sponsored by Ricardo
Veolia secured the ‘Energy Efficiency Award’, with their SmartParc in Derby. This flagship low-carbon energy network is revolutionising energy within commercial and industrial settings. Estimated to cut carbon emissions by 30,000 tonnes per year, the project is the first of its kind in the UK, with 9.8km of pre-insulated pipework that provides both heating and cooling to the 2 million sq ft campus.
Industrial Energy Award, sponsored by Veolia
The judges chose British Sugar for the ‘Industrial Energy Award’ for their decarbonisation roadmap at their Wissington Site. This energy intensive site has become substantially more energy efficient through re-engineering essential processes such as the steam required in sugar manufacturing.
Flexibility Award
Continuing their leadership in innovation, Kraken Technologies take the win for this year’s ‘Flexibility Award’ with Kraken SmartFlex. Now powering the world’s largest smart charging virtual power plant with 128,000 devices and over 1GW of connected capacity, the fully integrated product continues to develop the value delivered to consumers and utilities.
Energy Smart Places Award, sponsored by Bevan Brittan
Moving at pace, HOMEflex by SSEN Distribution and Flex Assure, continues to gain momentum and takes home the ‘Energy Smart Places Award’. The project was developed to ensure that the domestic flexibility market is inclusive, fair and transparent, with clear lines of accountability. HOMEflex will ensure that consistency and quality of service are an essential part of flexibility service provision, guaranteeing that customers are protected, respected and rewarded.
Digitalisation Award
Siemens has gone home with the ‘Digitalisation Award’, for their innovative and holistic approach in ‘creating the world’s smartest campus’ at the University of Birmingham. The initiative has resulted in a reliable road map to net zero and energy cost optimisation using sensors, the Internet of Things (IoT), and a digital twin of the campus’s energy system. The exciting work by Siemens means it’s possible to increase transparency on building utilisation, heating and power consumption.
Supply Chain & Skills Development Award
Fairheat are revolutionising heat network performance with their Heat Network Optimisation Guidance, which makes them the winners of the ‘Supply Chain & Skills Development Award’. Offering practical, innovative solutions for efficiency and decarbonisation of existing systems, the pioneering industry resource holds the answers to industry-wide challenges now and in the future.
Leadership in Diversity Award, sponsored by Bring Energy
The judges crowned the District Heating Divas as this year’s winners of the ‘Leadership in Diversity Award’. Paving the way for women in energy, the Divas continue to grow and connect women from across the UK and Europe and make a real impact in transforming the industry a collaborative and approachable space.
Rising Star Award
The ‘Rising Star Award’ recognises a special talent rising up through the ranks of the energy sector. This year, the judges saw fit to celebrate not just one, but two shortlisted candidates – Fanny Garrigou-Grandchamp from Bring Energy and Modo Energy’s Shaniyaa Holness-McKenzie.
Fanny has consistently and effectively used her skills, determination and dedication to make positive change as her career has developed in the sector, whilst joint winner, Shaniyaa is making an impact as she spearheads efforts to simplify what many deem complex.
Celebrating innovation and diversity within the decentralised energy sector is a crucial part of ensuring that industry grows in successful and just way. The trade association congratulates all those who won an award , as well as all those who were nominated. The ADE says it hopes to see even award-winning projects and people this time next year.
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