smart grids
A smart grid is an umbrella term encompassing information communications technologies deployed to the electricity system which can gather, distribute and act on real time data of the behaviour of all participants.
The government believes that modernising the electricity system into this digital communications infrastructure will assist the transition to a low carbon economy. In December 2009, the Department of Energy and Climate Change announced the ‘UK Smart Grid Demonstration Fund’, providing £6 million to companies for the continued development of smart technologies. From April 2010, Ofgem have made £500 available for large scale trailing of smart grids.
company position
We acknowledge the potential benefits of smart grids but would prefer a wider focus on ‘smart energy’ as we believe this is the key to ensuring future electricity demand is able to respond to inflexible generation.
As suppliers will be responsible for co-ordinating generation and demand in a ‘smart energy’ world, we believe they should be fully involved throughout developments.
> Read the full company position
latest news
Ofgem consults on evaluation framework for smart grids – 22/11/2011
On 18th November, Ofgem released a report outlining the Smart Grid Forum’s first piece of work – an evaluation framework for smart grids. This consultation investigates the value driver for smart grids and proposals a model that will explore the cost benefit of smart grids in comparison with ‘business as usual’ alternatives.
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