Research and development showcase
The UK energy industry is faced with a unique set of challenges and the key to our continued success will be our ability to adapt and meet these challenges. With this aim, we are taking the lead on a wide range of research and development (R&D) ventures, including several cutting-edge demonstration projects.
Our focus today
Our current R&D focus is on these main areas:
- Smart homes
- Carbon capture and storage
- Smart electricity grids
- Renewable energy
- Customer attitudes and energy efficiency
Our commitment
During 2010/11, working alongside partners, we were involved in R&D projects with a value of over £30m. Our subsidiary company, SSE Ventures, also put £12m into fledgling companies developing and deploying renewable, sustainable and energy efficient solutions.
Our approach
A common thread running throughout our R&D programme is a rapid and demonstrable output in projects that mirror our business strategy.
Collaborative R&D underpins much of our work and gives us access to the very latest expertise and technologies. Our R&D team has close links with large companies and SMEs, as well as with academia.
In 2008 we formed a research partnership with the the University of Strathclyde. The research topics covered include:
- the optimisation of wind turbine operation;
- development of design tools for improved building energy management; and
- advanced methods of managing power station control systems.
Our R&D team is made up from technical specialists across our business. Their ideas have been central to our success so far and will be vital in helping us achieve our future goals. Our Central Research Unit explores the bigger issues, like social networking, that are likely to affect our business over the next 50 years.