Utonomy

About Utonomy

Utonomy develops and provides technology to automate and optimize pressure within gas distribution networks. The company’s core solution is aimed at reducing methane leakage, a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, by minimizing gas loss through intelligent pressure management. Utonomy’s clients are gas utility and network operators who are seeking to enhance operational efficiency, reduce maintenance costs, and meet decarbonization targets. Founded in 2015 by Adam Kingdon, the company was established to adapt technology originally developed for reducing water leakage to the gas industry. Kingdon previously founded and served as CEO of i2O Water, a company specializing in pressure management for water distribution systems. His background in mechanical engineering and experience in leading technology and engineering businesses across Europe informed the creation of Utonomy. The company's flagship product, UtonomyOne, is a modular system that combines patented, retrofittable hardware with a cloud-based software platform. This system uses artificial intelligence and machine learning to remotely monitor and control pressure regulators across a gas network. It replaces traditional manual, seasonal adjustments with continuous, automated control that responds to real-time demand and weather, ensuring network pressure is kept as low as safely possible. The hardware can be fitted to existing infrastructure, providing a cost-effective upgrade path for operators. A trial with gas network operator SGN demonstrated the system could reduce governor pressure by up to 31% and projected a 16% reduction in methane emissions. Utonomy has secured significant funding to support its growth, including an Innovate UK Smart Proof of Concept award in 2015, a £5 million Series A round in 2022, and £4.4 million in development funding from Ofgem's Strategic Innovation Fund. These funds are aimed at facilitating the rollout of its technology across the UK and supporting international expansion, with trials starting in the US in 2022. Keywords: gas distribution, pressure optimization, methane leakage reduction, smart gas grid, utility technology, network monitoring, AI, machine learning, UtonomyOne, asset management, decarbonization, greentech, energy efficiency, IoT, remote control hardware, Adam Kingdon, gas utilities, biomethane injection, operational efficiency, emissions reduction