Smart meter success ‘depends on further Government action’
Government needs to do more in the regulation and standardisation of smart meters and the data they produce if they are to drive the uptake of energy efficiency across the non-domestic sector. This is according to a new report from The Environmental Industries Commission (EIC), produced in conjunction with sustainability consultants Acclaro Advisory.
‘Working Smarter: Realising the potential of smart meters in business’ details the industry-led research into the use of smart meter data to drive behaviour change in the non-domestic sector.
The report was published in the wake of a similar release from the National Audit Office which concluded that the business case for rolling out new smart metering for energy consumption and billing "remains positive", but the Government must pave the way for passing responsibility to industry.
The research – which included an industry-wide survey, a series of workshops, and more in-depth one-to-one interviews – found that by using smart meter data to inform a behaviour change programme, it is possible to maximise the energy efficiency outputs of metering. Success will require the engagement of both businesses and Government, and the report sets out a set of recommendations for what this should look like.
EIC’s executive director Matthew Farrow said positive steps by Government would include “facilitating the benchmarking of energy use across sectors by developing an agreed taxonomy of properties, publishing anonymised aggregated energy use data and developing a standardised methodology for measuring and verifying the energy reductions resulting from behaviour change, for example.”
Gareth Tancred, chief executive of the report’s lead sponsor, The British Institute of Facilities Management, said: “Facilities management professionals have a vital role in ensuring that organisations are more efficient with their energy use. Smart meters will help support this but for this to really to take hold then it must be coupled with behaviour change and therefore is the responsibility of teams right across the organisation.
“The recommendations contained within this report are an important step in getting us to our ultimate aim. We look forward to continuing our support and helping facilities management professionals play their role as part of this important agenda.”
Acclaro Advisory’s managing director, Sunil Shah, believes a joint effort by industry and Government must be taken. He said: “To ensure everyone wins – with cheaper energy bills, more sustainable business practices, and a potentially significant contribution to the UK’s carbon reduction targets – will require an ongoing dialogue and collaboration between both sides. If this does not happen it will be looked back on as a significant opportunity missed.”
The report’s key recommendations for business include:
• recognise that energy efficiency can be an investment opportunity;
• include energy management in business planning;
• appoint ‘energy champions’ to operate with full support from the senior management team;
• upskill key energy management staff through formal and informal training for building managers; and
• explore potential for long term behaviour change programmes.
