ENERGY EFFICIENCY TRIAL GOES LIVE WITH POTENTIAL TO SAVE UP TO 1.1 MILLION TONNES OF CO2 ACROSS THE UK ANNUALLY

• Locally-led innovation project set to bring carbon-cutting and cost-saving benefits to residents of Boston Spa and Wetherby. 
• By harnessing the power of smart meter date to optimise the efficiency of the local power network, Northern Powergrid aims to reduce the carbon footprint for communities by up to 301 tonnes of CO₂ a year - the equivalent of driving 700,000 miles in a typical petrol or diesel car.
• Network operator estimates a future national roll-out could help the UK save up to
  1.1 million tonnes of CO₂, helping to reach net zero quicker and cut consumers energy bills by £770m. 

Northern Powergrid, the company responsible for the electricity network that powers everyday life for 8 million people across the North East, Yorkshire and northern Lincolnshire, developed the project following an innovative idea from a local resident.

Using real-time, data-led processes to safely adjust the voltage delivered to homes and businesses in the trial area, Northern Powergrid will optimise the efficiency of the network, delivering significant carbon and cost savings to the local community.

The Boston Spa Energy Efficiency Trial (BEET) kicked off in January and is taking place in Boston Spa, Wetherby and the surrounding areas, with Northern Powergrid harnessing data from local smart meters and running it through its specially developed BEET-Box to safely optimise the network voltage for around 15,000 homes and businesses in the trial area.

The BEET-Box uses smart meter data to safely turn voltage up or down to the level that appliances need to work most efficiently. This could save individual homes and businesses taking part in the trial an average £28 on their annual energy bills and cut their carbon footprint by 20kg per year. The resulting energy savings could also help to unlock capacity for low carbon technologies such as electric vehicle chargers and solar panels, as the UK approaches 2035 net zero targets and legally binding 2050 targets.

Mark Callum, Smart Grid Development Manager at Northern Powergrid said: “We’re excited for this trial to go live in Boston Spa and Wetherby as BEET is a fantastic example of how we’re innovating today to deliver future benefits for our customers. We are trialling technology that can help us increase the efficiency of our network for our customers, whilst reducing their carbon footprint and overall energy consumption. It could also bring us one step closer to decarbonising the region, by enabling the introduction of more low carbon technologies, like electric vehicles and solar panels, onto the grid, and deliver wider benefits as we share our findings with other network operators so it can be scaled up nationwide.”

In the past, to ensure compliance with voltage regulations, households have typically received a higher voltage than most domestic appliances require to work effectively.
But now, thanks to an idea from local resident and retired engineer Keith Jackson and insights from smart meters that show energy consumption in near real-time, engineers can deliver the voltage that customers really need.

Keith Jackson said: “I approached Northern Powergrid with an idea that would use real-time data from smart meters to optimise network voltage levels and deliver CO₂ and cost savings for the local community. Everyone in the trial area will benefit without having to do a thing. The BEET project is a great example of how innovative thinking can positively impact both local citizens, and our net zero goals.”

Data will play an increasingly critical role in developing a smarter, greener energy system of the future. BEET is a great example of how data can be used to support a fair and just transition to net zero, with consumers, including vulnerable and fuel-poor customers, standing to benefit the most from energy bill and carbon reductions. To maximise the benefit, wherever possible, Northern Powergrid will prioritise the roll-out for areas where there are increased levels of fuel poverty.

If the trial is successful, Northern Powergrid plans to roll the concept out across the majority of its network by 2033. If scaled up nationally, the network operator estimates that BEET could save 1.1 million tonnes of CO₂ from the UK’s annual carbon footprint and help cut energy consumers bills by up to £770 million.