Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) is marking the completion of its five-year, £10 million project, Solent Achieving Value from Efficiency (SAVE), with two events in Westminster on 6 June, and is inviting interested parties to attend.

SSEN is committed to playing an active role in delivering a low-carbon economy and is 'learning by doing' through a range of projects. Funded through Ofgem, SAVE sought to establish to what extent energy efficiency measures can be considered as a cost effective, predictable and sustainable tool for managing peak demand as an alternative to network reinforcement.

The Project has now reached its conclusion, and SSEN will be presenting its findings in two events in Westminster on the 6 June:

  • The first event will be held at Central Hall, Westminster between 9am - 3pm and will give a detailed insight into the project's key learnings, outputs, and behavioural insights, and how these can be applied in the energy industry.
  • The second event will be held at the Palace of Westminster, between 4pm - 7pm and will provide a broad, strategic view of how the UK energy system is changing, and the role of projects like SAVE in informing the transition to a flexible network.

The second event will include Labour's Shadow Energy Minister Dr Alan Whitehead, Philip Sellwood, CEO Energy Saving Trust, Adam Scorer, CEO, National Energy Action and representatives from BEIS, and University of Southampton.

The events will discuss: how community groups can be paid to provide flexibility to electricity networks; how electricity network demand could be reduced by 7% using LED lighting alone; and the role of customer engagement in driving behavioural change.

Charlie Edwards, SSEN's SAVE Project Manager said: "These events mark the culmination of five years of hard work and I especially want to thank SSEN's project partners, including University of Southampton, DNV GL, and Neighbourhood Economics (NEL)."

"The energy system that serves our households, businesses and communities is undergoing a fundamental change. SSEN is committed to 'learning by doing', and SAVE will help us understand how through that transition we can ensure that no one is left behind."

"One of the key outcomes to the project has been the development of the Social Constraint Managed Zone (SCMZ) concept. This provides opportunities to maximise the societal benefit from the transition to a low-carbon, flexible network, for community groups, who can now access new funding streams through engaging with the network."

"These events will give us an opportunity to expand upon this - and other key learnings - and I urge everyone interested in delivering a low-carbon economy, that works for everyone, to sign up today."

SAVE tested and compared the impact of four different interventions with 8,000 Solent customers: Energy efficiency; Education; Monetary incentives; and Community engagement. By fusing smart technologies, with customer interaction, SSEN has developed a model for investment that minimises electricity costs for customers, maximises social benefits, including those to the fuel poor and vulnerable, and reduces carbon emissions.

Registration for the first event is available here: bit.ly/2L2a24s

Registration for the second event is available here: bit.ly/2ZxkpRb