Shows / Bright Spark
Bright Spark
Why energy system innovation matters, for both consumers and the drive to net zero. We meet the brilliant teams pushing to transform UK energy networks, and showcase opportunities for entrepreneurs, investors and others to get involved, via Ofgem's Strategic Innovation Fund, delivered by Innovate UK. Series hosted by Innovate UK's Jodie Giles and team.
Episodes
- Bright Spark
Breaking into Energy Innovation - Part 2
This is the second of two episodes exploring SMEs - their diversity, the unique strengths they bring compared with larger organisations, and how they can get…
- Bright Spark
Breaking into Energy Innovation - Part 1
In this episode, Emilia, Commercial Lead on the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) programme, is joined by Paul, Head of Commercial for SIF, to explore how SMEs…
- Bright Spark
Forecasting the Future: Managing an Evolving Energy Network
Energy Networks are becoming more distributed and complex. Electricity Distribution Network Operators (DNO) are at the sharp end of this evolution and their…
- Bright Spark
Networks Reimagined: Driving innovation for a future energy system
In this episode Jodie talks to Marzia Zafar, Deputy Director for Digitalisation and Innovation at Ofgem, and Laura Sandys CBE, Chair of the Energy Network…
- Bright Spark
Power Under Pressure: Predicting Climate Risk in Energy
Climate change means that more extreme weather is going to hit Great Britain. It is vital that we do our best to understand and predict the risks to build…
- Bright Spark
Celebrating successes and setting sights on 2026
In this episode of Bright Spark we look back at the Strategic Innovation Fund's successes across 2025 and give a preview of what’s in store for 2026. Across…
- Bright Spark
Turning Innovation into Impact: The SIF Approach
In this first episode of a two-part series, we explore what commercialisation and deployment mean within the Strategic Innovation Fund, and how the SIF team is…
- Bright Spark
Keeping the lights on - supporting a resilient energy system
What is the future of network resilience and preparedness? Ellen Webb-Moore, energy systems innovation lead at SIF, visits the headquarters of SP Energy…
- Bright Spark
Crowdflex part two: Building customer trust in consumer-led flexibility
Join Jim and Laura for the second instalment of this two-part series on consumer-led flexibility, explored through the SIF funded Crowdflex project. The…
- Bright Spark
Crowdflex part one: Building confidence in consumer-led flexibility
Join Jim and Laura for a two-part series diving into the future of consumer-led energy flexibility, through the lens of the SIF-funded Crowdflex project. The…
- Bright Spark
SIF Round 5 Challenges and Opportunities: Supporting transformational energy network innovation
Join Jodie, Laura and Joe as they discuss the SIF’s Round 5 strategic challenges, which reflect the most urgent opportunities for energy network innovation…
- Bright Spark
INCENTIVE: SIF innovation from idea to impact
INCENTIVE is the first SIF Beta project to reach completion. In this episode, members of the INCENTIVE team share their learnings and future plans with us. As…
- Bright Spark
Digitising and repurposing the gas network: Futuregrid at DNV Spadeadam
As the UK increases deployment of net zero technologies, gas demand is anticipated to fall significantly. Some gas networks may be repurposed, with projects…
- Bright Spark
Celebrating successes and setting sights on 2025
This episode of Bright Spark looks back at the Strategic Innovation Fund's successes and lessons over 2024, and asks what's in the pipeline for 2025. Last year…
- Bright Spark
A guided tour of NeRV (Net Zero Research Village)
The recently-launched Net Zero Research Village (NeRV) near Gateshead is the UK’s first facility for combined whole-systems research, development and…
- Bright Spark
Influence and impact: hearing from SIF's advisory board
What can SIF projects do to ensure they maximise their impact and influence? As we reach the Fund's midway point and award our second tranche of larger 'Beta'…
- Bright Spark
All change at SIF!
Big changes are coming to the Strategic Innovation Fund. From September, it will be easier and quicker to bid for funding, and there will be more opportunities…
- Bright Spark
Whole system planning: National Grid's Carolina Tortora
Carolina Tortora is - or was - a real-life rocket scientist. However, she says she is far more excited by her role as National Grid ESO's Head of Digital…
- Bright Spark
Power-to-gas (P2G) for system flexibility: Prof Sarah Walker and Aurora's Anise Ganbold
A focus on how enabling power-to-gas (P2G) can improve energy system flexibility and network optimisation. Professor Sarah Walker from Newcastle University’s…
- Bright Spark
Professor Keith Bell: fair, secure and net zero power
Professor Keith Bell holds the Scottish Power Chair in Future Power Systems at the University of Strathclyde. In this episode, SIF's David Richardson spends…
- Bright Spark
Electrifying heat: Christopher Taylor of Vital Energi
Vital Energi are one of the key UK companies looking at heat pumps and energy storage, to unlock power grid flexibility. In this Bright Spark episode, Vital's…
- Bright Spark
Electrifying heat: a tour of Octopus Energy's heat pump R&D centre
Octopus Energy entered the heat pump market in 2021, with the launch of Britain's first heat pump R&D centre on a Slough trading estate. In this episode of…
- Bright Spark
Commercialising innovation: how to take new ideas to 'business as usual'
To decarbonise our energy networks, new ideas and technologies must move quickly from 'innovation' to ‘business as usual’. The Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund…
- Bright Spark
Ofgem’s 2022-23 Strategic Innovation Fund Challenge areas (2 of 2)
A second episode on the four challenge areas in round 2 of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The £450 million SIF develops and supports innovations that…
- Bright Spark
Ofgem’s 2022-23 Strategic Innovation Fund Challenge areas (1 of 2)
The first of two Bright Spark episodes focusing on the four Challenge areas in round 2 of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The £450 million SIF…
- Bright Spark
A giant leap together to transform our energy systems
What do we really mean by a 'Giant Leap Together'? It conveys what we must do to realise the Strategic Innovation Fund's far-reaching ambition to decarbonise…
- Bright Spark
Off the Starting Blocks…
Showcasing some of the 40 exciting early-stage projects that secured funding in round 1 of Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). The SIF, which is delivered…
- Bright Spark
Introducing energy network innovation
Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund is a £450 million programme to drive down UK energy’s carbon footprint, at lowest cost to consumers. Innovate UK’s Matt…
- Bright Spark
Series trailer: Energy network innovation
This new series dives deep into energy network innovation, and explores opportunities on offer to entrepreneurs, investors and others through Ofgem's Strategic…