Energy Demand Research Project (Smart Meter Trials)
Four major energy suppliers are leading trials which are examining how energy consumers respond to better information about their energy consumption. The project is funded by £10m from the Government, matched by equivalent funding from the companies.
The trials are being managed on the Government’s behalf by Ofgem.
Several different interventions are being tested through the trials including:
- smart meters (electricity and gas);
- real-time display devices;
- additional billing information;
- monthly billing;
- energy efficiency information; and
- community engagement.
The trials are made up of different combinations of these interventions and are exploring the responses of around 50,000 different households. There will be smart meters in around 18,000 houses and real-time display devices in about 8,000 homes.
The results should provide information on behavioural changes and their durability, a breakdown of observed reductions in consumption (e.g. between those that are due to the way people use heating, lighting etc, and those due to other energy efficiency measures) and an assessment of the impacts on different households, including the disadvantaged.
The trials were announced in July 2007 and suppliers began recruitment and set-up later that year. The trials will last two years, but as different trial elements began at different times and most will cover at least two summers and two winters, final reporting will not be complete until Autumn 2010. In the meantime, reports will be available approximately every six months.