Power network operator in the North East and Yorkshire, CE Electric UK, has announced plans for a GBP54m ($86m) smart grid project to test the impact of low-carbon technologies like electric cars and solar panels on the electricity network.
The company will lead the project, in collaboration with British Gas (a subsidiary of Centrica), Durham University and EA Technology, if it can secure GBP28m from energy regulator Ofgem's Low Carbon Networks Fund. The project, which would be the largest smart grid pilot in Britain to date, would install some 14 000 smart meters in homes and business across the North East and Yorkshire.
British Gas will be responsible for recruiting and supporting customers during the trial, and will install the smart meters and capture data. Some 800 premises will also install photovoltaic panels, while 150 will run electric cars and a further 1500 will test the system with either ground-source or air-source heat pumps. A few homes will also install combined heat and power boilers.
The partners are also in discussions with other companies to participate in the trial, including appliance manufacturers GE and Panasonic and carmaker Nissan, which plans to launch its Leaf all-electric car shortly and manufacture the vehicle at its Sunderland plant.
A final decision on whether to proceed with the trial is expected by the end of the year when Ofgem announce awards from its GBP500m Low Carbon Network Fund.
