New data highlights future energy needs from network operators

Data showing the electricity usage of more than 12,000 UK consumers has been released by Customer-Led Network Revolution (CLNR) to understand the use of electricity by consumers.

By releasing the findings the CLNR, which is part-funded by Ofgem’s Low Carbon Networks (LCN) Fund, hopes to help electricity network operators better understand the consumption and generation patterns of consumers and what it means in terms of future energy requirements from them.

Of the participating consumers, thousands had smart meters, which provided updated information on their electricity usage every half hour. Many of the customers had used low carbon technologies such as solar panels, heat pumps and electric vehicle charging points, which helped the study look at the effects of using low carbon loads on the electricity grid network.

The project is also investigating whether customers are willing to be flexible with their use of energy outside the 4-8 pm period of peak demand. For example, customers willing to do the laundry or cook outside of the peak time could provide a cost-effective way to manage future energy challenges, the findings added.

Preston Foster from Northern Powergrid, the electricity distribution network operator leading the project, said: “These latest results from the CLNR project provide a comprehensive suite of up-to-date data relating to different electricity customer profiles in the UK. “We also recognise that the way people consume energy is changing, with more people working from home, ever-changing household structures and the popularity of new entertainment and Internet enabled devices, such as PCs, laptops, tablets, games consoles and smart TVs.”

He added, “Our intention is that this data will be used to help improve network efficiency and support the uptake of low carbon technologies without the need for large-scale upgrades to network infrastructure.”