Innovate UK launches the UK-South Africa Smart Energy Global Innovation Network

Innovate UK, the innovation agency of the UK government, has launched the UK-South Africa Smart Energy Global Innovation Network this week. The announcement was made at the Africa Energy Indaba held in Cape Town and is spearheaded by Innovate UK’s Global Alliance Africa project based in South Africa.

The network aims to connect energy innovators, entrepreneurs, policymakers, and investors. Its goal is to stimulate the development and implementation of digital, smart and AI-enabled technologies in the energy sectors of both the UK and South Africa.

The launch aligns with the ongoing efforts of both countries to transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources such as hydro, wind, and solar power.

Matthew Bray, knowledge transfer manager for South Africa at Innovate UK, stated that this energy paradigm shift opens up new opportunities in areas like smart grid development, interconnection, energy storage, and demand management. However, he also highlighted that these advancements bring complexities that need to be efficiently handled.

Matthew Bray further suggested that the energy sector, like many other sectors such as finance, commerce, and agriculture, needs to explore the usage of data collection, machine learning and deep learning to facilitate this transition to sustainable energy.

The development of the Smart Energy Global Innovation Network followed consultations with both local and UK ecosystems. The project identified an opportunity for mutual knowledge sharing, and the testing, funding, and adaptation of locally-developed solutions in each other’s markets.

The network will concentrate on four primary initiatives: knowledge exchange, joint research and development, facilitating expert tours for South African organizations to engage with UK energy stakeholders, and research. These initiatives, according to Innovate UK, will be directed towards three core areas: integration of renewable energy, construction of smarter grids, and applying AI in the energy sector.