The UK has unveiled a comprehensive strategy aimed at propelling smart energy technology and infrastructure forward across the nation. The initiative concentrates on expanding the accessibility of smart meters and flexible energy tariffs to more households, alongside providing support for companies to trial new IoT-enabled services.
A pivotal aspect of the plan involves enhancing assistance for in-home displays linked to smart meters. The government has initiated a program enabling customers to repair or replace faulty displays beyond the standard one-year warranty period. With major energy suppliers, covering 60% of the market, onboard, more households can now accurately monitor their energy consumption.
Additionally, there is a review underway of default energy deals to imbue them with greater dynamism. The objective is to ensure that standard tariffs more accurately mirror low pricing during periods of cheaper, low-carbon electricity generation, thereby encouraging the adoption of smart technologies and meters.
Included in the announcement is a £10 million fund allocated for companies to pilot innovative tariffs and technologies facilitated by IoT connectivity. Examples range from personalized pricing based on household routines to smart chargers for electric vehicles leveraging affordable, off-peak electricity rates.
Amanda Solloway, Minister for Energy Affordability and Skills, expressed, “Even the busiest households can now access these savings, ensuring they don’t miss out on cheaper bills, thanks to these new measures.”
Energy UK, an industry group, lauded the initiative, emphasizing its potential to empower households with greater control over their energy expenses while incentivizing flexible energy usage. They view it as a stride towards a smarter grid that optimizes renewables and distributed energy resources through IoT coordination.
Daniel Portis, Deputy Director at Energy UK, remarked, “A smart, flexible energy system will bring benefits for all customers. So we welcome today’s package from the Government which could help households make the most of smart technology, provides important funding for innovation and kickstarts a vital conversation about how we ensure the future energy market works for all customers.”
These actions build upon the UK’s existing advancements in smart infrastructure, with over half of British homes already equipped with smart meters. Government estimates suggest that related flexible energy deals could potentially save households around £900 per year.
With smart meters and grids pivotal to the UK’s long-term clean energy objectives, these new measures underscore continued political impetus and investment in IoT-driven innovation for the energy sector.