Keeping you updated with the latest releases, updates, events and opportunities we're working on to improve competitive innovation for our customers.
Keeping you updated with the latest releases, updates, events and opportunities we're working on to improve competitive innovation for our customers.
Residential renewable electricity generation is starting to gain traction with a number of people opting for energy saving technologies such as solar panels, smart meters and smart home connected products such as Hive. The latest form of sustainable tech for the home market is the installation of EV charging points. The rise in residential energy generation is an important factor in the shift toward net-zero but it reinforces the need for a grid that can respond to this increase in production.
The government has updated the definition of 'fuel poverty' from Low Income High Cost (LIHC) to Low Income Low Energy Efficiency (LILEE). This means a household is deemed to be fuel poor if it: has a residual income below the poverty line (after accounting for required fuel costs). The government recently published it's strategy 'Sustainable warmth: protecting vulnerable households in England' which outlines measures to protect vulnerable energy consumers. EnergyUK welcomed the updated definition but highlighted the importance of meeting the targets in order to protect the vulnerable.
Recommendations from the latest edition of E.DSO's (Europe's Distribution System Operator) Stakeholder and Innovation Council discussed three key issues to transform the energy system to create benefit for industry, customers and society. These include the embedding of societal values in the new DSO model, regulatory barriers in the current model and instruments needed to implement the new model. The report summaries that the future focus must be on societal optimisation of the entire energy system.
The latest Energy Storage Project Intelligence report from RenewableUK has shown that more than 16.1GW of battery storage capacity is operating or being planned across 729 projects in the UK. Energy storage methods such as batteries are essential for maintaining consistent supply across the UK and can help grid operators balance the supply of electricity to meet demand. Many of the projects under construction represent the capacity required to cover the UK's energy demand.
The Uswitch Energy Awards ranks the best energy suppliers across 14 categories based on responses from the annual customer satisfaction survey in association with YouGov. The winners have been announced and we are delighted that many of our customers received awards - Utility Warehouse won 'Best Meter Reading Service' and 'Best Incentives/Rewards', So Energy won 'Best Transfer Process' Pure Planet won 'Best Mobile App' and Bulb was named the runner up as 'Energy Supplier of the Year'.
The Economist is hosting a webinar on the 4th of March at 2pm GMT (9am EST) titled 'A paradigm shift: transforming the energy sector to achieve net zero emissions'. Many oil and gas companies have decided to pursue new strategies in order to move towards a lower carbon footprint. This is not easily achieved and this webinar will shed some light on the ways that oil and gas companies can manage the transition.
Digitalisation offers an opportunity to make power grids more resilient but could also make the energy system more vulnerable, say researchers at the tech academy alliance ESYS. Smart grids and the coupling of different sectors, including smart meters can help Germany come closer towards reaching its climate targets. However, the smart meter rollout has been stalled due to security concerns and technical defects and software bugs all pose future risks. A greater reliance on digital solutions is seen as crucial to achieve a full transformation away from centralised fossil power sources.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and Energy Entrepreneurs Fund (EEF) have launched a fund for energy entrepreneurs to turn their eco ideas into a reality in a bid to make changes before 2050. This could include innovations for energy efficiency in homes, sourcing greener power or improving green transport infrastructure. The funding will be shared between 15-20 projects with the hope of backing the UK's next generation of innovators.
The share of small energy suppliers in the gas and electricity market has grown over time. A new report by Cornwall Insight shows the collective gas market share of small suppliers has grown from 17% to 56.2% over 15 years. Over the same period the share of meters provided by small suppliers in the electricity market has grown from 3.6% to 28.2%. Research also suggests that the combined market share of meters of the Big 6 has decreased.
'Future Power Technology' has released an executive brief about the global net-zero emissions and energy industry. Japan has made a commitment to carbon neutrality by 2050. Part of the supplement highlights the strides that Japan is taking to reach net-zero emissions and what will be required to reach that goal. The release brings up the discussion surrounding the opportunities and challenges that Japan faces. Click here to read more
More than 10 million smart meters are now connected to Britain's national smart meter network. The DCC revealed that over 5.5 million smart meters have been connected since the onset of the pandemic and the 10 millionth was installed by E.On Energy this morning. The smart meter rollout is a key player in creating a flexible energy system and allowing the UK to move away from fossil fuels.
Race To Zero is a global campaign to mobilise leadership and support from businesses, cities, regions and investors for a healthy, resilient and fair, zero carbon recovery that prevents future threats, creates decent jobs and unlocks inclusive, sustainable growth. The Race to Resilience campaign runs alongside the Race to Zero to build resilience for 4 billions people who are vulnerable to climate risks such as extreme heat, drought, flooding and sea level rise.
Ovo, the second largest energy supplier in Britain plans to launch an EV charging tariff half the usual price at a flat rate of 6p/kWh. The Ovo Drive Anytime tariff is designed to protect the drivers from fluctuating energy prices. This type of tariff is allowing EV cars to become more accessible and affordable, meaning more people are considering making the switch. If you're thinking about it you can find answers to some of the commonly asked questions here.
The car industry is in a state of flux. The demand for diesel cars is dropping and tough new EU regulations are increasing the need for more electric cars. These reasons, among others are why automakers such as Volkswagen and Nissan are ramping up their production of electric vehicles. There are encouraging signs that consumer interest in EV's is picking up and 2021 could be a significant year for the industry.
Energy UK's latest switching figures show that 6 million customers switched supplier in 2020. Compared to the record number of switches in 2019 the switching levels were down by 6.5%, however results show that half a million customers still move to a new supplier every month.
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