PRIDE decarbonisation project secures £3.7M of funding
A collaboration project, which aims to accelerate regional energy planning to achieve net zero, has secured £3.7 million.
PRIDE is led by National Grid Electricity Distribution (NGED), in partnership with West Midlands Combined Authority, Advanced Infrastructure Technology Ltd, Regen, and National Grid ESO.
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Last year, the project was given the green light in its Alpha testing phase, during which project partner Advanced Infrastructure delivered a digital twin, building upon its existing Local Area Energy Planner Plus (LAEP+) platform.
Following the successful Alpha, £3.7 million of strategic innovation funding has been awarded for a BETA phase beginning this winter.
Advanced Infrastructure CEO Christopher Jackson said: "LAEP+ is a software tool that empowers local authorities to make informed and faster decisions on their path to net zero.
"NGED's support in rolling out this tool to local authorities allows us to support the public sector in developing the skills and capabilities to deliver net zero.
"The BETA phase of the PRIDE project is a pivotal moment in demonstrating the value of digital innovation in the local area energy planning process across the West Midlands; and by leveraging digital twins and granular data built upon Advanced Infrastructure's LAEP+ platform."
Advanced Infrastructure said the tool would bring "tangible" results to local authorities, "simplifying their processes and fostering an environment where local decarbonisation scenarios are easily made and better informed".
Paul Morris, head of future capacity at National Grid Electricity Distribution, added: "National Grid Electricity Distribution is committed to driving innovation and collaboration to accelerate the transition to a sustainable energy future."
