The award-wining Energywise project explored how DNOs can work collaboratively with energy suppliers and local trusted organisations to deliver appropriate services to communities of low income households who may be struggling with their energy bills.
Distribution Network Operators (DNOs) are forecasting increasing and more uncertain demands on their networks as the result of the electrification of heat and transport and the increased reliance on micro and distributed generation. Enabling and encouraging customers to change their pattern of demand and participate in DSR and other energy saving activities will help to mitigate this substantial challenge.
The project has undertaken a research study with hundreds of social tenants in Tower Hamlets (East London) and carried out two trials. Trial one has found how they can participate in energy saving opportunities, and trial two investigated both energy saving and demand side response. The project aimed to understand:
Trial one involved the installation of smart meters in participants’ homes, as well as the provision of energy efficiency devices and advice (LED lightbulbs, an eco-kettle and a ‘standby saver’).
The project designed an engagement strategy tailored to the specific needs of the target population and the demographics of the area, with a dedicated customer field officer team established with local understanding and language skills;
Energywise was the first time that a Critical Peak Rebate was trialled with pre-payment customers in the UK. The tariff rewarded customers for reducing their demand during certain times of the day without penalising them if they chose not. It was also the first time that an energy supplier and a network operator worked together with a trusted third party – in this case a local charity – to engage with fuel poor and traditionally hard to reach customers.
Overall trial one achieved a 5.2% reduction in average evening peak demand per participating household. Trial two encouraged participants to shift their electricity use at certain times through Time of Use and Critical Peak tariffs/rebates. The Time of Use Tariff, called HomeEnergy FreeTime, led to a 2.2% reduction in evening peak, while the Critical Peak Rebate, called Bonus Time, led to a 1.5% reduction in evening peak demand. Throughout EnergyWise, the top 10% of households achieved average demand reductions of 18.7%.
Documents
Engaging Fuel Poor and Hard to Reach Households on Energy Initiatives
Energywise Case Studies Report
Energywise – The Final Energy Saving Trial Report
Energywise Key Lessons Learned
Progress Reports
SDRC Reports
SDRC 9.1 – Trial Design and Identification of Customer Participants
SDRC 9.2 – Customer Recruitment
SDRC 9.3 – 6 Month Report
SDRC 9.4 – Customer Engagement
SDRC 9.5 – The Energy Shifting Trial Report
SDRC 9.6 – Energywise Knowledge Dissemination Report