The Energy Local SWELL Trial

Dr Mary Gillie

07757900408

mary@energylocal.co.uk

Energy Local

Wouldnt it be nice if

A community can generate clean power..and use it cheaply.

That the income could be

reinvested in the locality.

We could help reduce fuel poverty

Be rewarded for working as community include everyone.

Play a part in the energy market

Image: Designed by Freepik

Energy Local

Who we are

Energy Local is a social enterprise

Developing new markets for community energy to

Allow communities to use their generation directly (even in other buildings).

Let domestic customers benefit from Time of Use tariffs

Help communities manage energy use.

Get a benefit from smart meters.

Energy Local

Energy Local The problems we are trying to solve

If a community owns generation, any power not used on site must be sold for 5p/kWh & bought back at ~14p/kWh.

The true value is not achieved bills are higher

Income is lost to the local economy

Domestic customers are not rewarded for moving their electrical use to match local generation or when there is cheap power available.

More carbon is emitted.

The cost to the electricity network is higher.

Energy Local

Energy Local Concept

A group of domestic customers form a Community Energy Services Company (CESCo) add up their half-hourly smartmeter readings. It could be a village, round a school or church.

The total size is large enough to be settled half-hourly. This allows different prices at different times of day

The CESCo negotiates with a licensed supplier for time of use tariffs.

On-site/locally owned renewable energy can be pooled within the CESCO. The power can be pooled, reducing electricity bills.

Energy Local

Need for Energy Management System

Why?

Generation needs to be fairly shared e.g. whose water is heated within a group when the sun is out?

It will give you a helping hand to benefit from time of use tariffs.

Energy Local

Home Energy Management System sharing power out

Energy Local

Central controller Minimises export and shares out power.

Helps you get the best from tariffs, shares out generation

In-house control

In-house control

In-house control

Supplier Time of use Tariffs,

weather forecast

Probabilistic signal

Central controller Minimises export and shares out power. Helps you get the best from tariffs and

local generation

In-house control

In-house control

In-house control

Probabilistic signal

In-house control

Our First Trial SWELL!

50 Participants in Watchfield, Longcot and Shrivenham, try out the home energy management system and see how much they can save.

Includes homes with PV and community buildings.

With co funding from InnovateUK and working with other partners.

What have we been doing?

Energy Local

Talking and Discussing the idea

Energy Local

Talking about Energy Use

Energy Local

Energy Monitoring

Energy Local

Green is export

Base load is ~250W, are there

appliances that could be

switched off?

spikey loads are

kettles, toasters/

Looks like this person

is out during the day

Energy Monitoring

Energy Local

Green is export (east

facing solar panels

Base load is ~350W, are there appliances

that could be switched off?

Looks like this person

is in during the day

Bre

akfa

st

Sh

ow

er

Housew

ork

Pic

k u

p c

hild

ren

Eat

Make lunch

2

ho

bs

Vacuum

cle

aner

TV

Housew

ork

W

ashin

g m

achin

e

Tum

ble

dry

er

Child

ren to b

ed

Readin

g

Din

ner

Personal profile

House Surveys with some energy efficiency advice

An A+++ rated washing machine is typical 32 cheaper to run than an A rated machine and they dont need to cost more

to buy.

Energy Local

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

A+++ A++ A+ A B C

Washing Machine

House Surveys with some energy efficiency advice

Energy Local

0

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

A+++ A++ A+ A B C

Dishwasher

Modelling

We have been modelling possible savings for participants.

Savings depend on overall electricity use and demand shifting.

Models estimate 10-15% savings.

Energy Local

Other benefits

Social landlords can spread the benefit of PV across all tenants and tackle fuel poverty.

Communities can use their own renewables & spread the benefit, get a better return more generation.

Community cohesion

Energy awareness

DNOs can liaise with one entity.

Energy Local

Thank you

Mary Gillie 07757900408 mary@energylocal.co.uk

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Energy Local

What can be shifted?

Energy Local

Heaters?

Hot water?

Washing machines, dishwashers and tumble dryers?

Tablets, iPad, iPhone.

Cooking?

Ironing, vacuuming?

What else?

FAQs ? Wont smart meters provide the solution?

No, smart meters will provide the data we need but not the means to use it in the energy market!

? Can you really change the regulations?

It is hard but we are aiming for the minimum change possible. We are working with Of gem and Alexon. There is an appetite for change.

? Can some members free load

No everyone is billed for their power use.

? Wont suppliers lose money and stop this?

There are benefits to suppliers. They can smooth their demand, reduce their risk and have lower cost of sale. It is a new approach, we are already working with one supplier.

Energy Local