An Introduction

Partners and Funding

• Funded by Ofgem under the Low Carbon Network Fund (LCNF). – Delivery through partnership with • Northern Powergrid (DNO)• British Gas• DEI• EA Technologies Ltd

The Problems:

1. Broken Value chain in energy system innovation2. Uncertain responses to hardware change3. Need more, smarter solutions for network

maintenance

The ‘engineering world view’ of mechanistic, predictable, levers is challenged

– The grid = networks + people– A complex adaptive system– Less predictable, levers are unreliable – Therefore ROI is unknown

Learning Outcomes

1. Current and future load profiles2. Flexibility of demand, costs of flexibility3. Flexibility of supply, costs of flexibility4. Optimum solution to overcome network

constraints?5. Optimum means of delivery of these solutions

to end users?

Socio-Technical Approach• Socio-technical > social + technical

• We are interested not only in the social and technical aspects of electricity supply and demand, but in the way in which these are interlinked and inter-dependent.

• We are seeking to develop theoretical perspectives, research design methodologies and analysis that enable us to develop a socio-technical analysis of the emergence and implications of the ‘smart grid’.

Customers: Propositions

• LO1 – current usage• LO2 – responses to:

• Time of Use Tariffs• Restricted Hours• Direct control

– Mixed with• HP• EV• PV

Types of Customer in the Study

• 5 Variables for Domestic Customers– Tenure– Income– Composition– Gas Grid Connection– Rural / Urban

• Skewed by BG Smart Meter Roll Out– Flats, pre-payment, E7, poor credit rating• Problems…

Networks

• Wooler • Rise Carr

Research Process1. Survey

I. ~12,000 participantsII. Response rate??

2. Qualitative visits to ~200 customers

I. Home tour(s)II. Semi-structured conversation about

energy use flexibility, technologies, habits

3. Consumption Data from Smart Meters

4. Network Data from ‘the wires’

Analysis

Smart Grids through the Cynefin Framework

Complex Complicated

- Domain of expertise, best practice-Sense, Analyse, Respond- If Smart Grids were just about engineering they’d be here-Predictive Expectations

-Domain of emergent practice- Probe, Sense, Respond- The social side of our project is here- Explanatory Expectations

Smart GridSmart Grid

CLNRCLNR

Connection to Fuel Poverty

• GP’s previous research with DU and NEA• Interest in affordability of ‘smart’ grid and

associated technologies• Interest in the equity of smart– Who’s paying and who’s benefitting– Energy bills go up to create something that not

everyone can access– Related to Smart Meter roll out over next 8 years

Currently…

• Completed evidence reviews, research design• About to launch survey and pilot the

qualitative research

For more info:Gareth PowellsGareth.powells@durham.ac.uk