Energy securitySmarter energy use by industry could cut U.K. electricity demand by 75 percent

As the U.K. government debates the U.K. Energy Bill, new research has found that turning down non-essential services, such as heating, air-conditioning, and pumping equipment, at times of peak electricity demand could play a far greater role in helping the United Kingdom achieve future energy security.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Reading working with KiWi Power, found that electricity demand from some industry sites, including telecommunications centers, could be reduced by more than 75 percent at times of peak load on the national grid. A university of Reading release reports that in many cases this was because businesses switched from metered electricity to stand-by diesel generators but in some of the sites studied, particularly in the hotel sector, a genuine reduction of nearly 25 percent occurred. This was achieved through the turn-down of air-conditioning and heating and lighting and did not impact or discomfort customers.

The study also found that these measures will also reduce the need for additional power stations and keep down climate damaging carbon dioxide emissions.

The results of the study are particularly pertinent as current proposals in the government’s Energy Bill may encourage investment in extra electricity generation capacity, such as expensive and polluting power stations and stand-by generators, rather than encourage consumers to reduce electricity demand.

Researchers from the University’s School of Construction Management and Engineering used half-hourly meter readings, supplied by KiWi Power, from 176 non-domestic sites including warehouses, hotels, offices, and telecommunication centres. The data, drawn from businesses already using KiWi Power’s demand response services, were used to investigate the potential for reducing electricity use or shifting use to times of the day when electricity demand on the national grid is lower.

Jacopo Torriti, from the School of Construction Management and Engineering and lead researcher on the project, said: “Encouraging business to lower their electricity usage at times of peak demand on the national grid would reduce the need for new power stations and help keep the nation’s lights on in the future. But it’s less clear whether the government’s Energy Bill will really encourage such demand turn down.  Working with KiWi Power has been vital for the provision of data and industry expertise in the complex world of energy demand resources.”

Yoav Zingher, director and co-founder of KiWi Power commented: “This research from the University of Reading shows the clear potential to reduce energy demand by encouraging businesses to turn