The electricity system of the UK is changing rapidly. More than 50% of electricity is now generated by low carbon sources such as nuclear and wind. Many homes and businesses can generate electricity, particularly from solar panels.

Smart time-of-use tariffs are giving consumers greater control of their energy bills, and the growing use of electric vehicles is placing new demands on the grid.

Effective use of data and better communication is essential to the working of this modern electricity grid.

An analysis by the Carbon Trust estimates that a smart and flexible system could save the UK £40 billion by 2050. It will also help the UK to meet its carbon reduction targets.

However, a lack of common data standards and sharing of data are a barrier to competition and innovation.

Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation, working with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and the Office of Gas and Electricity Markets, has up to £1.9 million to invest in the development of products and services that will modernise data services in the energy sector.

Projects must exploit state-of-the-art data science

Projects should use state-of-the-art data science and are encouraged to design and build ways in which a user can search and access relevant data such as by location, asset type and other characteristics.

They must:

• be flexible and easy to use
• enable digital information exchange across the energy industry
• demonstrate transparency and efficiency
• encourage innovation through ease of access to data
• involve interested private sector organisations
• show that data based on different standards can be made to work together
• create opportunities for commercial exploitation
• show regard to data security

The competition is being run in 3 phases.

Up to £480,000 is available in phase 1 to fund up to 3 contracts for short feasibility studies.

Successful projects will be able to apply for further contracts in the later stages.

Competition information

• the competition is open and the deadline for registration is at midday on 2 January 2020
• organisations of any size can apply
• phase 1 contracts are expected to last 6 weeks and be worth between £100,000 and £160,000

Lower limb injuries from either purpose-designed mines or Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) are not always fatal but invariably life-altering. This technology uses a shaped metal ‘cup’ that covers the foot from heel to mid-sole. It can be sized to fit either over the shoe or as an insert and has been shown in blast trials to preserve the lower leg from traumatic amputation. Applicable to both the military and civilian sectors, particularly in areas of the world affected by legacy munitions, there is an opportunity to develop, design and manufacture a potentially low cost item of humanitarian benefit.

Andvari is a digital forensic assessment tool that uses statistical techniques and machine learning to increase the identification of data during digital forensic investigation. A probabilistic framework “learns” which data is of interest to an investigator, saving a significant amount of time compared to a random search. The technology is applicable to all fields of digital forensics in which metadata is analysed and prioritised, such as law enforcement and defence.

Technologies available through Easy Access IP are usually considered to be at low technical readiness for commercialisation. For Dstl the scheme provides a mechanism to release low technical readiness technology to those who may be able to develop it further. By offering the licences for free, Dstl hopes to build stronger relationships within industry and academia and see the technology potentially come to market and create an impact.

For more details visit Dstl’s Guidance to Intellectual Property

Published 16 October 2019

If the UK leaves the EU with no deal, you’ll need to give prior notification before you land exempt fishery products directly from your UK flagged vessel in an EU designated port.

In a no-deal Brexit, you’ll need to give prior notification before you land fish directly from your UK flagged vessel in an EU designated port.