R&D Generation and Retail

During 2019, the Generation Department's efforts were focused on one fundamental mainstay:

Operational flexibility and efficiency and facility safety

Iberdrola has continued with the VIDAGEN Project, which pursues the design and development of a global life management tool for pressurised equipment with the possibility of integrating a structural analysis module at a later stage.

In the area of thermal generation, and as a continuation of the ambitious GT-CONTROLFLEX Project to provide flexibility to the operation of our generating facilities, we highlight the OCTAVE Project, which aims to develop combustion process diagnostic and control technologies to make our power stations more flexible. Both projects are key to guaranteeing the robustness and safety of the Spanish electricity system, and allowing the integration of intermittent renewable-type production into the generation mix.

The REDEMIS Project was also been launched to improve environmental performance during the start-up and stoppage phases of the plant, and in load variations in combined cycles.

In the United Kingdom a highlight is the study of joint combustion using syngas in the Damhead Creek combined cycle gas turbine and the introduction of an APP (Advanced Power Package) at the Shoreham generation plant.

During 2019, the Retail Department worked on the following initiatives:

New products and services to improve customer experience

Within our Made-to-Measure Plans new functions have been added to the Choose 8 Hours Plan External link, opens in new window., thereby removing the current restrictions on the choice of hours. Similarly, with the aim of increasing online sales, work has been carried out to improve the process of signing up online. The procedure has been simplified as much as possible and now enables the customer to sign up for the Made-to-Measure Plan that best suits their usage quickly and simply.

Likewise, thanks to the launching of Energy Wallet, Iberdrola offers customers the opportunity to buy green energy packages to cover an estimated period of six months, one year or two years. This new product will give customers advance knowledge of the total price of the energy purchased for the selected period, which they can choose to pay in fixed monthly instalments, according to the actual amount consumed, or in advance, which would also include a discount. What's more, the electricity sold in Energy Wallet comes with the guarantee that it is from 100% renewable origins, ensuring that the power comes from clean energy generation sources.

Smart Home (Smart Watering) and Smart Solar

The Smart Watering enables the watering of plants within the home environment to be scheduled and monitored efficiently. This product completes the Smart Home product range that includes smart thermostats, electric meters capable of individually identifying the consumption of the main domestic appliances, and smart LED bulbs that can be controlled from a mobile phone.

Smart Solar External link, opens in new window. is an integrated solution that lets our customers generate and consume their own photovoltaic energy and save on their electricity bills. This service includes custom design, assembly and all legal permits for a solar photovoltaic installation, as well as access to financing and advice on insurance, maintenance, and online monitoring using web-based software.

In the UK, the company continues to develop new digital initiatives such as Smart Home and PowerUp External link, opens in new window., an application that makes it possible to buy gas or electricity in packets up to 180 days in advance at a pre-set price. For its part, Iberdrola's North American subsidiary, Avangrid^*, launched NYSEG Smart Solutions External link, opens in new window., an online shop which allows customers to securely search for, compare, and buy energy-efficient products, among many other options. Iberdrola's Brazilian subsidiary, Neoenergia^**, through its distributor Elektro, is making Elektro Fácil available to customers - a mobile app that allows them to check their consumption, access invoices and manage their payments. The app includes other services such as meter reading, programming an automatic shutdown or requesting a new connection.

Green Mobility

In addition, Iberdrola continues to participate in R&D projects in the Green Mobility area, a business department that responds to the demands of customers and society in general regarding electric mobility. In 2019, Iberdrola continued to participate in innovation projects involving community and regional funding, most notably the REMOURBAN and CIRVE projects. In the REMOURBAN Project, Iberdrola is developing a public charging station network in the city of Valladolid and it has devised a sustainability assessment method for urban areas which will be implemented in several cities that are participating in the project. In the CIRVE Project, Iberdrola is collaborating in the development of quick charging corridors to facilitate electric vehicle mobility and to connect Spain with France and Portugal.

 Iberdrola group's Sustainable Mobility Plan

^* Avangrid, Inc. is 81,50% owned by Iberdrola, S.A.

^** Neoenergia, S.A. is 50% + 1 share indirectly owned by Iberdrola, S.A.