Guests at the fifth UK Energy Innovation Awards challenged to pioneer a future where innovation can thrive.

Small business innovators, the energy industry, policy makers and academics gathered in force last night at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate for the annual UK Energy Innovation Awards, organised by the Energy Innovation Centre (EIC).

Addressing an audience of over 400 guests, Graham Edwards, chief executive of EIC industry partner, Wales & West Utilities, said: “The increased ambition of tonight’s event has been driven — first and foremost — by the exceptionally high number of quality entries that were received from the innovator community and also by the energy industry’s growing desire for collaborative projects that leverage the talents, agility and innovative nature of small businesses.”

Commending the Energy Innovation Centre on its role and reach within the sector, Edwards called on the audience to continue to challenge itself to pioneer a future where energy innovation can flourish and innovative technologies and services can be rapidly deployed.

David Gray, chairman of energy industry regulator, Ofgem, said: “The UK energy industry is changing fast and innovation has a crucial role to play in how it develops.

“Wholehearted congratulations must go to all the projects, technologies and businesses that are being recognised by the UK Energy Innovation Awards tonight. Not only do they highlight the impact of the RIIO regulatory incentives, they also demonstrate how innovation is extending beyond the networks into the supply chain.

“I have said previously that the challenge is getting sufficient numbers of people to think laterally about innovation. Judging by the number of entries to the awards and the calibre of the shortlist, it’s clear that the sector is addressing the need for innovation head-on. The next step is to turn innovation into business as usual.”

Broadcaster and author, Gyles Brandreth, hosted the sell-out event which featured a record number of 14 awards categories and over 60 shortlisted entries.

Cambridge University spin-out, HTIP Ltd, picked up two awards. The ‘Best Innovation Contributing to Reliability and Quality of Electricity Supply’ and ‘Best University Technology’ awards were awarded for the firm’s novel domestic voltage regulator device. The technology guarantees quality of supply for consumers and increases network resilience to the effects of low carbon technology deployment.

HTIP is grateful for the major support received from the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Scottish Power.