Grounds for Change (SIF Round 5 - Discovery)

Project Overview

Description

Britain’s race to electrify our transport and heat is reshaping every street, yet open trenches slow the journey, increase costs and disrupt the lives of millions. By 2035 every new car will be electric and heat pumps installations could reach 1.5 million installations/ year.

Utilities already dig up Britain’s roads four million times per year at an enormous cost financially and environmentally. Grounds for Change will investigate precise slot cutting, directional drilling, and innovative onsite spoil recycling to reduce waste and restore sites faster. This approach promises quieter, cleaner, and more affordable works with less disruption for everyone.

Expected Benefits

Pre-Innovation Baseline and Description:

Currently, Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) predominantly use open dig trench methods for cable laying, resulting in significant spoil generation and considerable vehicle emissions. For instance, SSE’s cable lay volumes result in the transportation of approximately 624,000 tonnes of material annually, necessitating 71,000 lorry movements. This has a direct impact on road congestion, emissions, and is highly disruptive for customers. With the anticipated increase in low voltage (LV) works, such inconvenience risks becoming unacceptable and may provoke public opposition.

Environmental – Carbon Reduction – Direct CO2 Savings per Annum:

The Grounds for Change project aims to minimise or eliminate open dig cable laying, thereby reducing environmental impact. Less digging means less waste removal and a reduced need for importing reinstatement materials. Using SSE’s annual LV cable lay volume of around 650 km and onsite ‘SoilDri’ methodology, waste is estimated to decrease by 312,000 tonnes, with an equivalent reduction in new material imports. This could prevent 71,612 lorry movements, avoiding emissions of 1,217 kg CO2, 2,380 kg NOx, and 26,860 g of PM10 particulates.

Environmental – Carbon Reduction – Indirect CO2 Savings per Annum:

The project will also investigate the broader societal benefits from reductions in CO2, NOx, and PM10 emissions, which are yet to be quantified.

New to Market – Processes:

Grounds for Change introduces four innovative companies to the SIF process, each offering novel solutions for LV cable replacement and reinstatement. These complementary technologies will help redefine best practice and drive business growth for SMEs and the wider supply chain.

Other Benefits:

Network upgrades will become less intrusive, reducing dust, noise, and pollution in residential areas. Fewer vehicle movements will help alleviate suburban traffic congestion and lower safety risks for the public.

Project Partners

SSEN is collaborating with Southampton City Council and Energy Innovation Centre (EIC) for the Grounds for Change Discovery phase SIF innovation project. Through the EIC, the project will be engaging with innovators to gain fresh ideas and perspectives.

Progress

Grounds for Change successfully secured SIF Discovery funding, with the project set to kick off in February 2026.

Discovery Funding

Total Discovery phase project costs:   £104,583
SIF Discovery funding requested:       £94,125

Discovery Start/End Date

Start Date – 02 Feb 2026
End Date – 29 May 2026