As the energy crisis and subsequent cost of living crisis in the UK continue to affect millions of energy consumers, a new AI initiative by a tech firm has been announced, utilising the extensive data collected from smart meters in the UK to inform energy efficiency schemes.

Image: Data Communications Company (DCC)
 

Edinburgh-based technology firm Urban Tide has been working with a number of partners, including the Data Communications Company (DCC), to develop a new tool that will help to identify properties at risk of, or that are in, fuel poverty.

This data will then be used to coordinate efficiency programmes to help resolve these issues, aiming to alleviate consumers of the worst of the cost of living crisis.

uZero

The software is called ‘uZero’, uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and anonymised data from the DCC and was developed as part of a two-year project under the UK Research Institute’s Modernising Energy Data Applications (MEDA) programme, which provided funding alongside the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).

uZero was developed with other partners including Greater South East Net Zero Hub, University College London and Connected Places Catapult, and consists of five aims:

• Provide better targeted support: Making active targeting more efficient and early intervention more effective, providing higher returns on investment when running energy efficiency campaigns

• Identify priority areas for retrofitting: In cases where demand for retrofit measures outstrips the time or budget available, uZero can help identify where to prioritise delivery

• Improve uptake of efficiency schemes: Supports organisations to improve the uptake of efficiency schemes amongst fuel-poor households, leading to lower energy bills and improved comfort and wellbeing

• Generate insights: Provides a ‘before and after’ comparison of the fuel poverty risk that can help organisations and their delivery partners better understand their programme’s success in reducing fuel poverty

• Identify areas in fuel poverty: Making it easier to identify areas in or at risk of falling into fuel poverty. This includes ‘hidden pockets’ of households in fuel poverty and higher debt risk that would otherwise escape detection

Data, good governance and fuel poverty

Better use of data has the potential to change the efficacy of delivering energy efficiency to those who need it most while reducing energy bills, providing health improvements and playing a significant part in reaching net zero goals.

According to the DCC, this must be done with security and privacy at the forefront, so that consumers retain complete control.

Used appropriately, smart meter system data can help to provide support to those most in need but also understand who might be left behind by the energy system as it evolves – helping to overcome challenges of exclusion whether through digital literacy or other demographics.

The UK Government defines fuel poverty by using the ‘Low Income Low Energy Efficiency indicator’. It comprises of two elements, first if an individual or family is living in a property with an energy efficiency rating of band D or below.

Second, when the household has to spend the required amount to heat their home and are left with a residual income below the official poverty line.  This secondary element considers household income, household energy requirements and fuel prices.