Issue 4

Gearing up for the Summer

The big news for the start of the summer is the launch of the Local Energy Market (LEM) live trials, which have had a huge amount of interest from aggregators, energy companies and DNOs who are interested in taking part.

And journalists got a preview of how the platform works at a roundtable event at the end of May, which prompted lots of questions and discussion.

We have also started the next and most intensive phase of the residential project, where homes will undergo site surveys and the ones that are suitable will receive their offer to take part in the trial with a home battery and Solar PV installation.

Launching the platform

Our pioneering software platform came online on 13 June. We are inviting distribution network operators, aggregators, large energy generators and other utility companies with operations in the South West to get involved.

Stuart Fowler, LEM Platform Manager at Centrica, said: “We’ve been delighted with the huge interest in the LEM to date and are excited to see how different players interact with the platform. We want even more participants to get involved, so we can maximise the learnings from the project. Diversity only strengthens the operation of the marketplace – providing even greater flexibility and financial benefits for participants. This trial, and the benefits that we envisage, are open to all.”

Please contact cornwall@centrica.com if you wish to take part.

Journalists get first-look

A range of journalists from publications including The Guardian, Bloomberg, New Power, Clean Energy News and Modern Power Systems, attended a roundtable event in London at the end of May, for a demonstration of how the LEM virtual marketplace works.

Along with the LEM project team, Western Power Network and National Grid also gathered around the table to explain the part they will play in the buying and selling of energy and flexibility on the platform.

LEM Programme Manager, Matt Hastings said, “WPD, National Grid and Centrica working together, shows how we can solve complex whole-system challenges together. We were really eager to show how simple to use the LEM platform is and were pleased with the positive interest and questions from journalists.”

Cornish homes plugging in

We are pleased to announce that German energy storage specialist sonnen will be supplying and installing batteries and solar panels for 100 homes as a part of the LEM residential project.  They will be using Exeter-based SunGift Energy to do all the installations.

Site surveys have started and for those homes that are suitable, installation of the kit will begin during July.

Martin Allman, sonnen Country Director UK & Ireland, said: “The Cornwall LEM is an innovative and exciting project, which will test and prove new business models for the growing UK energy storage market. We are delighted to have been chosen by Centrica as the residential PV and energy storage provider, and look forward to bringing our experience from Germany and other international markets to Cornwall.”

Energy Live Future

Along with Centrica’s MD of UK Business Gab Barbaro, Matt Hastings joined in a panel discussion on the future of energy at the Energy Live Future event in London recently.  Hastings told the audience: “It’s time to stop talking about what the future is going to look like, but rather how we’re going to embrace it in reality today.”

Research carried out by Centrica at the event found that those responsible for buying and managing energy in UK organisations are still struggling to convince leadership teams to let them invest in new energy technology.

• A third (34%) of organisations see leadership buy-in as their biggest energy challenge.
• Almost half (49%) believe political and regulatory uncertainty could hinder investment in energy technology.
• Battery storage is predicted to be the biggest energy technology trend over the next 10 years.

Gab Barbaro (left) and Matt Hastings (middle)

Promoting the LEM to the Welsh Assembly

We recently attended an event in the Senedd in Cardiff Bay to promote the work of the LEM to Assembly Members.  The Powering Wales event covered the future of energy systems and included information on Centrica Business Solutions and electric vehicles as well as a Cornwall LEM exhibition stand.

Those attending included: Welsh Government Minister  for Environment Hannah Blythyn; Plaid Cymru’s energy spokesperson Simon Thomas; Chair of the Climate Change, Environment and Rural Affairs Committee Mike Hedges; Chair of the Health, Social Care and Sport Committee Dai Lloyd; and Chair of the cross-party group on Fuel Poverty and Energy Efficiency Mark Isherwood.

LEM Communications Manager Amanda Booth talking to Conservative Assembly Member Mark Isherwood

The Cornwall Local Energy Market is part-funded by European Regional Development Funds under the European Structural and Investment Funds Programme 2014-2020.