Smart solutions programme to increase consumer participation in flexibility

Energy Systems Catapult has launched phase one of its Inclusive Smart Solutions (ISS) programme, aiming to address challenges preventing low income and vulnerable consumers from participating in the UK’s transition to a smart, flexible energy system.

Energy Systems Catapult, which provides technical, commercial and policy expertise on energy innovation, suggests that innovative products and services designed to aid the transition could unfortunately exacerbate or introduce new barriers for these consumers.

Energy Systems is collaborating with management company Carbon Trust and market researcher Ipsos to implement the ISS programme, funded by the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero.

The £2.75 million ($3.33 million) programme will be divided into two phases through to March 2025, with the first one underway.

In phase 1, Energy Systems Catapult, with support from the Carbon Trust, has launched a ‘Request for Information (RFI) for the Inclusive Smart Solutions Delivery Team’ to solicit input from various stakeholders, including industry professionals, technology developers, energy networks, academia, research institutions and others.

The RFI aims to gather information on:

• Existing and potential solutions for consumers who may face difficulties participating in the emerging smart and flexible energy system.
• Specific barriers that LIV consumers encounter and the targeted solutions being developed to address these challenges.

The information collected through the RFI will provide valuable market insights into existing innovations and solutions, as well as the barriers identified by stakeholders already involved in this field.

The objective is to identify innovations that can unlock potential and support future developments for the LIV consumer market, spanning both demand-side vectors and supply-side technologies.

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Phase 1 also involves working with Ipsos to conduct primary research with LIV consumers to gain a deeper understanding of their needs and existing barriers.

The insights gathered from this research will inform the development of innovative solutions tailored to these consumers. This phase will also include an ‘Open Innovation’ selection process to identify up to four innovative solutions, both from within and outside the energy sector.

Commented Becky Sweeney, business leader of homes at Energy Systems Catapult: “The work we are doing aims to face these hurdles head-on, to help us learn from the experiences of LIV consumers, to create a smart, flexible energy system that works for everyone and where no one is left behind.

“We’d like to invite stakeholders from across industry – from clean tech innovators to energy research institutions – to respond to our Request for Information to help shape the energy system of the future.”

The funding for the programme comes courtesy the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero’s £65 million ($78.7 million) Flexibility Innovation Programme, part of the UK Government’s broader £1 billion ($1.2 billion) Net Zero Innovation Portfolio dedicated to financing low-carbon technologies and systems.

The programme is also being delivered as part of Energy Systems Catapult’s Fair Futures Programme, which explores the opportunities for innovation to address fuel poverty and better understand the issues faced by vulnerable energy consumer groups in the UK.