Smart metering - Smart Energy GB
About this good practice
Published on 18 January 2019
United Kingdom
Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
This is the good practice's implementation level. It can be national, regional or local.
Smart Energy GB is the campaign for a smarter Britain. Smart Energy GB is a not for profit company to make sure everyone understands smart meters, everyone knows how to get one and everyone knows how to use their smart meter to get their gas and electricity under control.
The website contains:
- useful resource materials for use by local organisations / authorities to support the roll out smart meters including resource packs for schools. All the materials are free to download / print
- information for citizens on how to get a smart meter from their provider
- information on what a smart meter is and how to use it
- information of how a smart meter is installed
- information on grants available to support an event to promote smart metering
- information on why citizens should have a smart meter
The campaign mascots are "Gaz and Lecky". A powerful media campaign (including TV, advertisements, posters) using these characters has been rolled out to show how smart meters can help control gas (Gaz) and electivity (Lecky) in homes and small businesses.
The campaigns shows how a smart meter prepares Britain for a smart living future e.g. smart energy grids and electric vehicles.
Smart Energy GB not only directly support / advise members of the public but also provide resources to other organisations to spread awareness about smart meters across England and Wales.
The website contains:
- useful resource materials for use by local organisations / authorities to support the roll out smart meters including resource packs for schools. All the materials are free to download / print
- information for citizens on how to get a smart meter from their provider
- information on what a smart meter is and how to use it
- information of how a smart meter is installed
- information on grants available to support an event to promote smart metering
- information on why citizens should have a smart meter
The campaign mascots are "Gaz and Lecky". A powerful media campaign (including TV, advertisements, posters) using these characters has been rolled out to show how smart meters can help control gas (Gaz) and electivity (Lecky) in homes and small businesses.
The campaigns shows how a smart meter prepares Britain for a smart living future e.g. smart energy grids and electric vehicles.
Smart Energy GB not only directly support / advise members of the public but also provide resources to other organisations to spread awareness about smart meters across England and Wales.
Expert opinion
Smart metering can have a very significant impact in reducing energy consumption, by providing real-time feedback regarding energy use. However, roll-out remains limited in many countries. This national campaign has proven to be very successful, and is an interesting example for other regions. The provision of online information for home owners, coupled with resources for local authorities, a network of support organisations, and audiovisual outreach is a strong and comprehensive approach, though it may prove too costly, depending on the scale (particularly related to the audiovisual campaign). Regions can examine the materials prepared and adapt to local context, as the author recommends.
Resources needed
Free resources are available for download from the Smart Energy GB website. Some materials can be edited to include organisational logos / messages.
There is an opportunity to bid for funding to promote smart meters.
Smart Energy GB is independent from government and has a budget of £48m
There is an opportunity to bid for funding to promote smart meters.
Smart Energy GB is independent from government and has a budget of £48m
Evidence of success
There are various tools to evidence the success:
1) 14.70 million smart and advanced meters installed including 11.67million in domestic dwellings
2) Estimated savings of 29.7 tonnes of carbon by 2030
3) 95% of adults reached through the Gaz and Lecky campaign across radio and in print
4) In 2017 - 66 organisations awarded grants for smart meter projects
5) In 2017 - a further 180 smart mete champions created across 88 organisations
1) 14.70 million smart and advanced meters installed including 11.67million in domestic dwellings
2) Estimated savings of 29.7 tonnes of carbon by 2030
3) 95% of adults reached through the Gaz and Lecky campaign across radio and in print
4) In 2017 - 66 organisations awarded grants for smart meter projects
5) In 2017 - a further 180 smart mete champions created across 88 organisations
Potential for learning or transfer
Huge potential to reuse materials, ideas, campaigns as the challenges are similar across Europe around the readiness and willingness to accept and use smart meters in homes. One thing which is essential is educating people to use smart meters and learn how a smart meter can be useful in the transition to a smart way of living such as understanding a solar pv on site and its roll in balancing, becoming a prosumer, when it is best to charge your electric vehicle etc.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
Organisation
Leicester City Council
United Kingdom
Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire
Contact
Team Leader