Neuville Grid Data provides advanced high-resolution measurement capabilities and innovative time-series data-handling services to the power sector. This helps maximise the performance of electricity grids as the UK aims to move towards a Net Zero energy system.

Energy Systems Catapult together with the Power Networks Demonstration Centre in Scotland, chose Neuville Grid Data as the collaboration partner for the Power Systems Challenge, which aimed to test the capability and network behaviour of innovative SME solutions. Following on, Neuville were chosen as one of the original SMEs to receive tailored incubation and acceleration support from our Energy Launchpad.

The Challenge

The electrification of heat and transport alongside the decentralisation of energy production is putting additional strain on local electricity networks and driving the requirements on District Network Operators to become District Systems Operators, with full active management of the infrastructure.

In 2017, Energy Systems Catapult and the Power Networks Demonstration Centre in Strathclyde, launched the Power Systems Challenge, with the aim to collaborate with and test an SME’s solution to one of five key challenges identified in the Future Power Systems Architecture programme and to demonstrate the capability and behaviour of the network in response. Neuville Grid Data was competitively selected by a panel, including experts from the University of Strathclyde, Scottish and Southern Energy, Scottish Power and UK Power Networks,  to test their hardware technology for an 11kV testbed demonstration at PNDC.

In 2018, Neuville were selected as one of five SMEs taking part in a pilot of the Incubation and Acceleration programme being offered by our Innovator Support Platform.

The Innovation

Neuville Grid Data and its international research partners are developing a ground-breaking power grid monitoring capability. Its advanced sensor network collects ultra-high-resolution, time-series data on electric grid conditions to enhance and enable power quality management; renewable energy generation; energy storage services; smart grid operations; reduced energy losses; equipment condition monitoring; capital investment and more.

They can scrutinise the behaviour of electricity networks and condition monitor equipment at a level of detail, clarity, and sophistication never achieved before.

Neuville is developing and deploying an innovative technology with the distinct potential to improve the economic and electrical efficiency of the electric power sector by up to 3% or more.  If fully achieved, such a seemingly small, marginal improvement would massively reduce the associated carbon emissions that are driving climate change.

The Solution

Energy Systems Catapult is home to the Energy Launchpad that draws on Catapult capabilities and assets, along with those of our partners.  The Energy Launchpad provides innovators with tailored incubation and acceleration support to selected SMEs to help address systemic barriers, de-risk innovation, help businesses scale and secure investment.

The Energy Launchpad identified that the test time at PNDC could be utilised to help support and progress an application for an NIA project.

Energy Launchpad and partners support for Neuville, included:

• Investment Readiness Assessment: Delivery Support Network partner 350 Investment Partners carried out a detailed critique of the Neuville investment readiness, highlighting the gaps that needed to be addressed. This allowed a new version of the business plan to be created and alternative customer base to be explored. An introduction has been made to a potential investor.
• NIA Application: Delivery Support Network partner Apteno Consulting has drawn on material experience and insight to help Neuville carry out preparatory work for first value application with UK Power Networks.
• PNDC testing: Neuville is in the process of testing its equipment on the 11kV distribution grid simulation testbed with assistance from the University of Strathclyde, with the aim of ultimately accelerating its journey to commerciality.

The Impact

Neuville Grid Data has made significant strides in development of their innovation since they began working with Energy Systems Catapult in 2017, including:

• Closed £672k SEIS/EIS initial seed funding round to fund working capital requirements and manufacturing costs for equipment to meet the first eight orders for UK solar farms.
• Contracted to install innovative Grid Data Unit (GDU) technology onto eight Armstrong Energy solar farms – with two now operational – that provide performance enhancement through innovative, high-resolution electrical condition monitoring.
• Received first recurring revenue from long-term solar contracts – meaning Neuville is no longer “pre-revenue”.
• Neuville’s MD, Clarke Simmons, took part in the Energy Data Task Force stakeholder workshop led by the Catapult on behalf of HM Government, Ofgem, industry and other stakeholders.
• Awarded four small research and support grants from EU ERDF & Innovate UK including support from the Greentech Access to Innovation (A2i) programme to investigate artificial intelligence machine learning analysis of high-resolution electrical data.
• Cornerstone patent has been “published” by UK IPO – patent grant pending.
• New industrial research/GDU assembly workspace in Bankside London and four new staff hires for an FTE total of 5+.
• The Catapult has helped Neuville secure further CR&D funding of £1.4m over a three-year project where we will be acting as a sub-contractor to support market channel analysis.