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Not surprisingly, this intelligent, interconnected network is by no means a straightforward proposition. It has a lengthy ingredients list, and so requires extensive deployments to make it work: The most obvious component is the smart meter, which stores detailed data on energy usage and transmits and receives information, acting as the communications “gateway” into the home. On top of this, a new communications network needs to be built. Operating in parallel with the electricity grid, this network distributes data between all elements of the new intelligent grid. In the distribution and transmission network, advanced utility sensors and control systems need to be deployed in wires and substations. Such a network then provides the sensors and controls that will improve the system’s resilience. The final element is software. This is required to present, interpret, analyse and react to the huge amount of data that will consequently be flowing through the system.

The TERA (Technoeconomic Environmental Risk Analysis) methodology, used for the European aviation industry under the leadership of Cranfield University, will provide a valuable insight to investigate the most promising systems in terms of multidisciplinary criteria and to estimate their competitiveness, so as to facilitate their route to commercial operation with benefits for the UK energy industry and for the long term needs of the community. TERA methods are being developed for power generation and the oil and gas industry in association with two major players in the energy field.

Wave power alone has an estimated global potential of approximately 1,000-10,000 GW — in the same order of magnitude as the world’s electricity consumption. Located in the Orkney Islands of Northern Scotland, the wave and tidal sites are designed to test a range of machines located down to a depth of 50 meters and up to two kilometers from shore. “Wave and tidal energy is a very powerful source of renewable energy and a very challenging environment for equipment and systems,’’ stated Stuart Baird, EMEC Operations Director. “We need vendors like Draka who can deliver quality products and services that can stand up to the elements over time.”

Mitsubishi Electric, Toshiba and Showa Shell yesterday each unveiled plans to boost their solar panel production.Shigeaki Kameda, president of Showa Shell's solar subsidiary, said the company intended to become the world's largest producer of thin-film photovoltaic panels, with the business eventually rivalling its Y3,000bn ($33.6bn) oil-refining and petrol operations in scale.Mitsubishi said it hoped to produce 600 megawatts' worth of photovoltaic cells annually by the financial year to March 2012, up from 220MW.Toshiba, which makes residential solar-power systems, said it was aiming to take 10 per cent of the Japanese domestic market by the year to March 2013.