Flexible approach urgently required

Intelligent smart meters can play a key role in the CRC
(Carbon Reduction Commitment), enabling companies to
understand energy use across their organisation and make
changes to drive long-term energy reduction. Nick
Welli

The UK government plans to overhaul
the CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme in
an attempt to simplify it, but the
question remains as to whether the industry
will see more companies taking note?
The CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme is an
important part of the Government’s efforts
to reduce 80% of carbon emissions by 2050.

It aims to drive cost effective carbon
emission reductions through greater energy
efficiency, rather than renewable energy or
offsetting, and is focused on companies that
exceed the 6000MWh threshold.

The CRC’s chief aim is to deliver carbon
savings by reducing the amount of energy
used by large organisations and industry. To
achieve this, companies need to work with
energy providers to find new ways of
monitoring and reducing the
amount of energy they use.

One of the ways to do this
– while streamlining and
managing the
integration of this
scheme into current
energy management
systems – is through smart
meters.

The problem with the
majority of smart meters is
they only give companies the
ability to see their overall
energy consumption data,
rather than a breakdown of
which areas of the business
consume the most energy.

Integrating energy disaggregation
technology into current smart meter
offerings will enable energy providers to
transform smart meters from simple
displays, to intelligent energy measurement
and management systems. This will allow
businesses to accurately measure energy
usage at every point in the business, for
almost every device and energy-consuming
appliance.

However, the process of integrating
disaggregation technology into the
mainstream smart meter offering, to benefit
the CRC, can only be achieved if there is a
level of interoperability between energy
providers, government and technology
specialists.We need a flexible approach to
energy efficiency that ensures new and
innovative technologies can easily be brought
to businesses across the UK.