British Gas recently announced a new smart grid project tha would bring together a coalition of energy firms to test the technology on several UK homes and businesses located in the North East and Yorkshire. The entire project, which is set to be tested in 14,000 households and other establishments, shall cost about £54 million. To gather the participants' energy consumption data, smart meters will be provided for free.
Along with British Gas are CE Electric UK, Durham University, and EA Technology, who jointly said the initiative is aimed at reducing the country's energy consumption by £8 billion and carbon dioxide emissions by 43 million tons. The project will also require recruitment of users of microgeneration technologies – around 800 for solar panels, and 1,500 ground or air source heat pumps. About 150 electric cars would likewise be tested. Such will allow the consortium to determine how to make the national grid work best with local energy generation like solar panels.
Currently, the group is still awaiting for a decision on a £28 million-worth of funding from Ofgem’s Low Carbon Networks Fund. The results will not be released until December although sources are saying the grant is most likely to be approved. If successful, the project will start early next year with British Gas set to install the smart meters.
Phil Jones, president of CE Electric UK said, “Our region was the leader in the very early days of the energy industry. We want it to continue to be in the leading pack as we enter a new era of smart energy grids and low-carbon technology.” Meanwhile, according to Phil Bentley, managing director of British Gas, "As a Yorkshireman, I'm proud that Yorkshire and the North East will be a beacon to other areas across the country on how to adapt to a low-carbon future – bringing British homes and businesses lower energy bills and a reduced carbon footprint".
Government support seems not to be an issue as well. Prior to his election, prime minister David Cameron revealed a £1 billion smart grid investment plan which targets to install a smart meter in every home. The same plan was later reinforced in May, when the government released The Coalition which puts “We will establish a smart grid and roll out smart meters” in its energy and climate change measures.
