ESB Networks has launched their Innovation Strategy at the Connecting Ireland’s Energy Conference, which took place at the Mansion House. The strategy sets out how ESB Networks will meet the challenges of the changing energy landscape, deploying new technology, engineering, and innovation tools to facilitate the transition to a low carbon future. ESB Networks has one of the world’s most progressive electricity networks and facilitates changes to how Ireland’s electricity is produced and consumed. ESB Networks has designed eight roadmaps to continue to drive change. These roadmaps focus on connecting renewables, boosting customer engagement, further developing the electrification of heat and transport, optimising the current network infrastructure, creating flexibility within the network, making the network more resilient, driving operational excellence across the organisation. The innovation strategy includes investment in state-of-the-art control centres in Dublin and Cork; investment in line sensors, fault indicators, augmented reality and 3D laser scanning to help control the network and repair faults remotely. Speaking at the Innovation Strategy launch, Marguerite Sayers, Managing Director of ESB Networks said: “For over 90 years, and through rural electrification, ESB has used advanced technology and innovation to provide Irish customers with a world-class electricity service. Today’s Innovation Strategy launch is simply a continuation of that history – ensuring that we continue to innovate to support Ireland’s changing energy needs. “With these eight roadmaps, ESB Networks is outlining how we are preparing to deliver an electricity network for the future. How electricity is produced and consumed is fundamentally changing and we need to adapt to those changes.  “The challenge for us is to integrate increasing amounts of renewable generation on to the distribution system and also to support the electrification of heat and transport – both of which are fundamental to meeting our national carbon emission target.  However, we need to do so while maintaining our safety standards and delivering value, service and reliability to our customers.  We are undertaking a whole suite of smart network research projects and trials – some on our own and some with technology partners – to see how best we can facilitate all of the new demands on the network at least cost and while also enhancing service levels.” Speaking at the Conference, Minister of State at the Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Sean Kyne, T.D. said: “The Innovation Strategy that ESB Networks is launching today contains clear benefits for all electricity-users in Ireland, from householders to community organisations to businesses. From the strategy it is evident that ESB Networks is harnessing the opportunities which digital technology provides including innovations such as line sensors, fault indicators and laser scanning. All of these will help ESB Networks provide the secure, safe and reliable electricity network which is powering our society and our economy.”