Accelerate decarbonisation and consumer vulnerability projects

Description

Wales & West aim is to create a robust and balanced portfolio of Energy System Transition and Vulnerable Customer projects, including hydrogen, biomethane, transport, hybrid heat, data modelling/digitalisation, in addition to ensuring a just transition for vulnerable customers. Lot 1: We're particularly looking for ideas that can help us deliver a just energy transition and accelerate decarbonisation of multiple demand areas, such as transport and heat. Improving the resilience of the energy system supply chain to support efficient rollout of new infrastructure is a crucial undertaking to support these aims. Other areas of interest are: Biomethane production • Support production capacity for biomethane on our network and increasing the understanding of the role of hydrogen for net zero and within our network for blending and at 100%. Domestic • Better identification and inclusion of vulnerable and disadvantaged customers to support decarbonisation of heat and mobility for rural and consumer groups with reduced access to opportunities for decarbonisation. • Consumer options and supporting development of hybrid heat solutions. Transport • Understanding the role of gas in transport and investigating fuel choice, with a focus on our own commercial fleet. Data and digitalisation • Data and modelling regarding capacity, sharing, and supporting local energy planning. We're particularly interested in hearing about technology that has been proven in other industries, such as the digitalisation of banking, food delivery, and transportation mobility, that we could apply into our network. Consumers in vulnerable situations • Networks have embarked on digitisation strategies to share asset data to aid the UK energy transition. How can we use demographic data to support the creation of programmes of works and to assist the planning of projects to improve the experience of the customer and communities. • How can the WWU keep customers warm and safe during gas supply interruptions. Existing measures often require plugging in a device which customers are more reluctant to do given energy costs and wider cost of living crisis. Mass deployment of temporary electrical appliances can also cause issues to the electricity grid at peak times. Future gas network conversions from natural gas to hydrogen will see a large increase in the number of customers facing interruptions for longer period than with our current planned work so low cost solutions that take the cost worry from the customer are required. We are especially looking for ideas in the space of alternative heating, cooking and hot water. • How can the WWU use technology to ensure that messages and information is accessible and engaging for all - particularly challenges are seen as customers with poor English, those with mobility and cognitive challenges, and reach school children who are the customers and bill payers of the future.