Smart Local Energy Systems

Why this event?

Billions need to be spent on the grid edge updating homes, businesses, and the distribution infrastructure to reduce reliance on fossil fuels and to combat climate change. There are huge opportunities, especially for first movers, but to-date this potential market is highly fragmented, has not progressed beyond trials and remains under-funded.

Complexity lies at the heart of the problem for everyone and is proving almost impossible to solve top-down given established generation orientated market structures. Electric vehicles, heat pumps, insulation, solar panels, and home batteries are all being encouraged by the government but, not only does the grid need to be strengthened to receive them, these initiatives also need to be funded by consumers at considerable cost.

Furthermore, consumers do not understand the complexity and nor do they have confidence in the industry to supply, install, maintain, and support their investments. This is why few products have gone beyond the early adopter, single product stage and have yet to become mass market propositions. 

Smart, Local Energy Systems hold the key. These are ring-fenced, individual but repeatable energy installations that integrate all the elements, including Installation Service and Support (ISS), to provide consumers with a simple, turn-key, evergreen system that reduces energy bills by combining flexibility with energy supply.

Innovate UK’s £107m Prospering from the Energy Revolution (PfER) programme recently demonstrated significant benefits from “Energy-smart places”. Europe too is waking up to the need/opportunity with several energy communities appearing particularly in Portugal, The Netherlands, Italy and Austria and with authorities starting to acknowledge that local systems have an important role to play in the current crisis.