UK smart grid trial generates positive consumer feedback

The £54m Customer-Led Network Revolution (CLNR) project, part funded by Ofgem’s Low Carbon Networks Fund (LCNF), is testing a number of solutions to ensure Britain’s electricity networks are prepared for the mass uptake of low carbon technologies, such as solar PV, heat pumps and electric vehicles.

The government is implementing measures to cut carbon emissions by 34 per cent by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050 but achieving these targets will largely depend on low carbon technologies being adopted nationwide.

Dr Liz Sidebotham, communications manager for the CLNR project said, ‘Through the CLNR project, we are already preparing for the widespread uptake of low carbon technologies by carrying out…trials with thousands of customers and testing innovative new technology on the electricity network.

‘Within the first stage of the project we’ve been actively studying thousands of residential, commercial and industrial electricity customers to better understand how much electricity people use, when they use it and for what purpose, and whether financial or other incentives can encourage them to shift their usage away from periods of peak demand.

‘Our findings at this stage are preliminary, but we have seen a huge appetite from domestic customers for our Time of Use (TOU) tariffs and this particular programme was actually oversubscribed, showing that customers are willing to take ownership of their electricity consumption in return for lower bills.