Connect with us

Business & Technology

Keen AI & SP Energy launch grid tool for developers

Published

on



SOFIAH NICHOLE SALIVIO

News Editor

Keen AI and SP Energy Networks have launched a digital tool for new electricity grid connections, aimed at developers seeking access to the UK transmission network.

Called Intelligent Connections Explorer, or IConn, the system is designed to speed up the earliest stage of the connection process by giving users an initial view of where and how a project may be able to connect. It provides indicative costs, likely timelines and potential technical constraints, producing results in under five seconds instead of after weeks of manual assessment.

The launch comes as pressure grows on Britain’s electricity networks from a surge in applications linked to wind, solar and battery storage projects. Grid connection reform has become a central part of the government’s Clean Power 2030 agenda, with network operators and developers under pressure to cut delays that can hold back investment decisions and project delivery.

Demand for new transmission connections rose more than fivefold between November 2024 and June 2025, according to Keen AI and SP Energy Networks. The increase has intensified scrutiny of the pre-application stage, when developers often seek early guidance on whether a scheme is viable before committing more time and money to formal submissions.

IConn digitises transmission network data to create a single view of existing, contracted and planned capacity. It then uses locally hosted models to generate possible connection routes, estimate costs, simulate power flows and flag technical limitations that may affect a project.

Work that previously relied on manual engineering analysis could take hours or several weeks to assemble, depending on the information required and the resources available. By automating much of that initial review, customer-facing teams are expected to give developers more consistent answers earlier in the process.

Growing queue

Britain’s grid connection queue has become one of the energy sector’s most persistent bottlenecks as the country tries to expand low-carbon electricity supply and strengthen energy security. Developers have long argued that uncertainty over available capacity, cost and timing can slow project planning well before a formal connection application is submitted.

For transmission owners and network operators, the strain also falls on engineering teams, which must process rising volumes of requests while balancing technical, regulatory and operational demands. In that context, tools that standardise initial assessments may help free up specialist staff for later-stage analysis and formal design work.

SP Energy Networks said IConn has already shown measurable benefits in the preliminary phases of the connections process, including faster early insight, more consistent information for developers, more efficient use of engineering time and support for teams handling high request volumes.

The system also aims to capture knowledge that might otherwise remain with individual engineers or local teams. That matters in a process where early advice can vary depending on who handles an enquiry and what data is immediately available.

Sector focus

Keen AI is a UK company focused on artificial intelligence applications for critical infrastructure. It has worked with utilities including National Grid, Scottish Power and SSE on asset monitoring and network planning, and secured Ofgem funding in 2025 to develop what it described as Britain’s Foundation Source Model for electricity infrastructure.

SP Energy Networks operates electricity distribution networks across central and southern Scotland, Merseyside, Cheshire, North Wales and North Shropshire, as well as transmission networks in central and southern Scotland. The business serves more than 3.5 million customers across its network areas.

The collaboration reflects a broader move across the energy sector to use digital systems and automation in planning and operations as network owners face rising data volumes and tighter delivery targets. For connections, the commercial value lies in shortening the period before a developer can judge whether a project is worth pursuing.

Alana Cairns, Transmission Customer Liaison Manager at SP Energy Networks, said: “We’re really pleased to see IConn taking shape as a practical tool that reflects the depth of knowledge within our engineering teams. Working with Keen AI has allowed us to turn that expertise into something customers can access from day one, giving them a clearer understanding of their connection options and helping to set more informed expectations. It’s a great example of how innovation can directly enhance the customer experience.”

Amjad Karim, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Keen AI, said: “We have taken a process that used to consume hours of engineering time and compressed it to seconds. That’s the kind of step change the UK needs to meet growing demand for clean energy. There’s a narrow window to get this right. The projects waiting in the queue today are the wind farms and battery storage we need online by 2030. Now it’s about scaling that solution across the industry.”



Source link

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Business & Technology

UK travel company enters liquidation after 11 years

Published

on



TS Travels Group, which began operating in 2015, describes itself as a “leading coach and minibus hire company”.

It provided “reliable and affordable transport solutions across the UK and Europe”.

UK travel company enters liquidation with no new trips

Now, after 11 years, TS Travels Group, based in West Yorkshire, is set to close.

The company’s website has been taken offline, and new bookings are no longer possible.

Laura Anne Walshe of Keywood Group Limited was appointed as liquidator on July 29, according to The Gazette.

On LinkedIn, the company said: “With years of industry experience, we have built a reputation for delivering exceptional service, catering to both private and corporate clients.

“Our diverse fleet ranges from small minibuses to large coaches, some of which are bespoke-built to our specifications to ensure maximum comfort.

“Through our trusted network of partner operators, we offer seamless nationwide coverage, making transport planning effortless for our clients.

“At TS Travels Group, no journey is too big or small.

“Whether it’s private hire, corporate travel, school transport, or airport transfers, we are committed to providing a flexible and stress-free travel experience.”

It comes just days after fellow UK travel company Ski Yodl Ltd entered liquidation, resulting in the cancellation of all holiday packages.

The company offered ski holiday packages to destinations including the French Alps.

Other UK travel companies that have closed in 2026

Several UK travel companies have also ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:

Several UK travel companies have also ceased trading or entered administration in 2026:

Four UK airlines have also fallen into administration or liquidation this year:

  • Ascend Airways (liquidation)
  • EcoJet Airlines (liquidation)
  • Zenith Aviation Limited (administration)
  • European Cargo (administration)

Have you booked any trips with TS Travels Group? Let us know in the comments.





Source link

Continue Reading

Business & Technology

Fintech opened more doors for women, now we must keep them open

Published

on


The modern fintech industry continues is an exciting place to work in: new problems being solved, new technologies underpinning products and new companies emerging and taking on incumbents. It keeps you on your toes. 

It remains, at its heart, a people business. There is tremendous diversity and inclusivity in terms of people, interests and skillsets, creating a melting pot for problem-solving and innovation. And women are at the heart of fintech success stories across the globe.

One of the advantages of building something new is that you’re often less focused on tradition and more focused on finding the right people to solve the problem in front of you. That’s one of the reasons why women play a key role at fintech.

The industry grew during a period when many more women had already established careers in financial services. They brought deep expertise in areas such as payments, operations, compliance, and customer experience, all of which became incredibly valuable as fintech evolved. 

Every executive builds a network of people they trust. I’ve done the same thing throughout my career. In more established industries, those networks may have been built over decades. In fintech, many of those networks were still being formed, creating opportunities for talented people to move into senior roles based on what they could contribute. 

Newer companies also have the advantage of building their cultures and teams from the ground up without decades of established practices. That creates an opportunity to think differently about hiring, career development and the experiences that prepare people for senior roles. 

Identifying what it takes to succeed

The fintech industry isn’t for everyone. In my experience, if you have certain inherent qualities and interests, it is more likely that you will thrive and succeed.

If I had to narrow it down, I’d start with curiosity. Financial services, technology, and regulation are constantly evolving, so the people who succeed are the ones who never stop learning. They ask questions, challenge assumptions, and stay open to different perspectives. 

The second is the ability to simplify complexity. Fintech sits at the intersection of technology, regulation and business, and it’s easy to get lost in the details. The people who make the greatest impact are the ones who can simplify complex issues, create clarity, and help others understand where they’re headed and why. 

Leadership qualities, particularly the ability to align people around a shared strategy and execute, are crucial too. Great ideas are everywhere, but success comes from building strong teams, bringing people together around a common purpose and turning strategy into action. That means building trust, breaking down silos, making decisions, and consistently delivering results. 

And finally, integrity. Financial services is built on trust. Whether you’re developing technology, managing risk, or leading an organisation, your reputation is earned by making the right decisions, especially when they’re the difficult ones.

Recognising the need for career evolution

Not everyone will possess these qualities and interests from day one. Some are acquired over time, while others are instilled during your formative and educational years. The one certainty is that progression is never linear; you’ll need to pivot and make bold decisions that continuously challenge yourself.

I began my career as a rocket scientist in the U.S.A after earning a degree in mathematics and computer science. While I loved solving complex technical problems, I discovered I was even more passionate about explaining what technology could do and the business problems it could solve than writing the code itself.

That realisation led me into financial technology and to SWIFT, where I had the opportunity to live and work in Belgium. Supporting the world’s leading financial messaging network gave me a front-row seat to the complexity of global banking and the critical role technology plays in enabling secure, trusted financial transactions. It also introduced me to an industry that has challenged and inspired me throughout my career.

As my career evolved, I naturally gravitated toward roles where I could bridge technology and business. I enjoyed helping customers understand not just how technology worked, but why it mattered and how it could transform their organisations. 

That eventually led me into executive leadership, where I’ve spent more than three decades helping companies define strategy, build high-performing teams and translate innovation into measurable business results. I’ve always believed successful innovation begins with understanding the business problem rather than the technology itself.

Today, I focus on aligning strategy, people and operations to drive growth, strengthen customer outcomes and prepare my company for its next stage of evolution. I’m also helping shape how we use artificial intelligence across our products and our own business to accelerate execution while enabling our people to do their best work.

The best is yet to come

While the fintech industry remains in relative infancy, the leaps in progress over the last 25 years is a strong indicator that the pace of transformation will accelerate rapidly in the coming decades. Technology will continue to evolve, and new products and sectors will emerge. 

However, I believe the next few decades will be defined less by new technology and more by how organisations choose to apply it. Those that succeed won’t simply be the first to adopt AI, for example. They’ll be the ones that build cultures capable of learning, adapting and executing faster than their competitors. 

Continued fairness in hiring practices is central to the future success of fintech. The strongest organisations hire for capability, potential, and character. They recognise that people with different backgrounds and experiences challenge assumptions, bring new ideas, and help organisations make better decisions.

Ultimately, success isn’t measured by the software we deliver. It’s measured by the confidence our customers have in the decisions they make and the trust they place in the people they work with. Strong leadership, great people, culture of continuous learning, and a clear strategy will always be the differentiators.



Source link

Continue Reading

Business & Technology

‘Leading’ Oxford cocktail bar in liquidation amid £58K debts

Published

on


Duke Property Ltd, which runs the Duke of Cambridge bar on Little Clarendon Street, entered Creditors Voluntary Liquidation on July 28.

This is a a liquidation procedure that enables a company to be wound up by resolution of the members of the company instead of by a court order.

READ MORE: Over 500 jobs at risk as leading UK charity shutting 190 sites

A statement said: “Notice is given that at a General Meeting of the Company, duly convened and held at the place and on the date given above, a special resolution was passed that the company be wound up voluntarily; and an ordinary resolution was passed appointing the Liquidator for the purposes of the winding-up.”

The liquidators appointed were from Fortis Insolvency, with Daniel Taylor of the firm stating that the economic climate over the last few years has provided “major challenges”.

Duke of Cambridge cocktail bar (Image: Oxford Mail)

He said: “It is always difficult when an individual or company faces insolvency, as one failure often impacts on others around them either directly or indirectly. From suppliers to employees to finance providers to HMRC, there is always a wider consequence.

“The economic climate over the last few years has provided several major challenges to businesses, and the fall-out continues to be encountered.

“We know that this business is not alone in what it has faced over recent trading periods, and suspect that there are more economic consequences yet to be felt.”

The Duke of Cambridge has also been approached for comment.

The company’s latest accounts, to May 31, 2025, show creditors falling within a year worth over £58,000 and an average of three employees, less than half the number from the year before.

READ MORE: Oxfordshire construction firm being wound up with £75K debts

On its website, the Duke of Cambridge describes itself as “Oxford’s leading cocktail bar” and says its has been open since 1981.

It adds: “Located in the bohemian district of Jericho, the bar is always bursting with atmosphere at the weekends with a more chilled vibe during the week.

“Fresh ingredients, cool interiors and friendly staff give The Duke genuine character and style.”

In addition it said that it is “currently closed for a refurbishment following a break in”, with Google also reporting the cocktail bar as closed.

It added that it would be “reopening soon”.





Source link

Continue Reading

Trending