NM Group and Durham University complete outstanding research

NM Group and Durham University received an Outstanding grade by Innovate UK for their research in Utility Vegetation Management. This research was part of a government funded scheme known as the Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP). The project used geospatial data to develop powerful new vegetation management risk tools. These have been designed to help electricity networks maintain a more reliable system.

The KTP scheme fosters academic and industry cooperation to promote innovation. As well as drawing on scientific research from Durham University the project was aided by The Knowledge Transfer Network, who helped facilitate the programme.

Sophie Davison, NM Group’s KTP associate commented on the project, “We wanted to be able to provide data that improves the efficiency for utility foresters as well as for asset managers and auditors. The KTP funding enabled us to accelerate the research and ensure it was developed with rigorous scientific methods”.

Danny Donoghue from the Geography Department at Durham University added, “The KTP project demonstrates Durham University’s commitment to applying its world-class research in UK industry. Working with NM Group we were able to develop our research on vegetation structure to improve the management of vegetation risk within the power sector”.

The Knowledge Transfer Network had an important role in supporting and governing the project, acting for Innovate UK and providing 50% of the funding. “This project shows exactly how a KTP can transfer knowledge from a research intensive university and make it work in a modern, developing business” said Ian Blakemore, Knowledge Transfer Network Adviser.