Ofgem Strategic Innovation Fund Round 5 Discovery C4

Overview

Innovate UK and Ofgem’s Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) Discovery Phase funds early-stage, collaborative projects that define and de-risk innovations to deliver a net zero energy system at lowest cost to consumers across GB energy networks.

Scope

Projects must target one Round 5 Innovation Challenge and shape a clear path from Discovery (problem definition and value case) to Alpha (live testing) and Beta (large-scale demonstration). Proposals must evidence consumer benefit, GB network relevance, and consider users, constraints, opportunities, and environmental impacts.

Key themes and topics

- Advanced energy transmission and networks: advanced semiconductors; superconducting transmission; wireless power transfer

- Dynamic modelling: grid simulation and optimisation; coordination and dispatch of flexible resources

- High energy demand point integration: demand forecasting and load growth; flexibility and efficiency strategies; accelerating connections and infrastructure

- Consumer-centric grid expansion: scalable technical solutions; community engagement and public acceptance

- Enhanced system visibility and control: real-time monitoring, AI diagnostics, automation; control room decision support and digital twins

- Green gas: blending and grid adaptation; system flexibility and balancing; compression, storage and injection management

- Whole system optimisation: whole-system modelling and scenarios; high-impact multivector configurations

- Cross-cutting expectations: customer focus and inclusion, scalability/replicability, data and digitalisation, shared learning, skills and capability, supply chain deliverability, and resilience.

Project duration

Start after 1 January 2026; end by 31 May 2026. Total duration up to 5 months. Projects must start on the first of a month.

Award value

Up to £150,000 SIF funding requested per Discovery project (ex VAT).

Funding rates

Third-party SIF funding on a no-subsidy basis. A compulsory private contribution of at least 10% of total project costs is required; higher match is viewed favourably. Monitoring and end-of-phase reporting apply. Progression to Alpha and Beta is by separate competitive application.

Eligibility criteria

- Lead: Ofgem-licensed energy network (gas distribution/transmission, electricity transmission/distribution, or ESO/NESO).

- Collaboration: at least one project partner; additional mandatory partner types vary by challenge/theme (e.g., research institutions, technology providers, consumer bodies).

- Work and deliverables: majority performed in the UK; partners responsible for at least one Discovery deliverable.

- Non-UK partners may participate with their own funding; their costs can count toward eligible project costs.

- Must comply with SIF Governance, no-subsidy requirements, sanctions, and ethical research standards. Resubmissions from prior SIF rounds require approval and material change.