CASE STUDY 4
Navigator
Case study: Strategic energy planning tool for a net zero future
- Project reference: NIA _NGN_471
- Project partner: SGN, GeoEnergy, BMA and DECCC
- Project status: In progress
- Overall project value: £1,940,800
- Innovation theme: Data and Digitisation
INNOVATION THEME:
This year, NGN embarked on an industry-leading innovation project to support strategic energy planning for a net zero future.
Recognising the need for a more comprehensive, data-driven approach, NGN has partnered with Scottish Gas Networks (SGN) and industry specialists to develop Navigator. The sophisticated tool combines data from gas, electricity, heat and water sectors, along with crucial societal and regional insights, to model decarbonisation pathways in a dynamic, real-world way.
And unlike previous models, Navigator is a whole system energy tool and will take into account those all-important regional nuances, different public behaviours, and ever-changing policy changes for a smarter, more inclusive approach. It will ultimately help regional planners, energy strategists, policymakers, and local authorities make more informed decisions about when and where energy can be used best - ensuring no community is left behind on the path to net zero.
The first phase of the project started in February 2025, focused on the North East of England. Navigator is due to be rolled out in Spring 2026.
Jennifer Farrell Assistant Project Manager
“Navigator is designed to help our network adapt to the evolving energy landscape, ensuring an affordable, resilient transition while supporting customers with diverse needs. It’s an advanced optioneering modelling tool that provides clear insights, identifies opportunities and guides us towards smarter solutions for a net zero future”
Key benefits
- A robust set of guidelines outlining how to best serve vulnerable customers, which can be used by organisations across multiple sectors.
- Direct engagement with vulnerable customers has enabled us to understand the complex range of difficulties they face and determine the ways we can best support and empower them.
- Embedding the guiding principles into our day-to-day operations will improve our service offering and enable us to support vulnerable customers more effectively.
