The Strategic Technology Programme-a model for high value and focussed collaborative technology development

There is a need to satisfy the ever more urgent calls to solve problems experienced by network operators in operating equipment of increasing age in an environment of less time and money than was previously available, whilst still maintaining a strategic view to the future. There is a need to justify all work undertaken in terms of benefits delivered in the short term, whilst building through the work a longer term output which provides a benefit that is greater than the sum of the short term parts. The Strategic Technology Programme (STP), operated by EA Technology, was established in the UK in 1997 to satisfy these needs following close consultation with the UK Regional Electricity Companies. The model implemented in the UK is now being adopted in other countries. A secure Intranet is used for trading and dissemination of outputs. The Strategic Technology Programme is a collaborative programme of technical information, development and research to assist Electricity Companies world wide to achieve best in class performance in power distribution. The STP is owned by, and is under the direct control of its members, the participating companies. The key aims of the STP are to cost-effectively improve the operational efficiency and business performance of members within prevailing regulatory constraints