Press
Onzo supports the Centre for Sustainable Energy in its addition to the debate in the UK over the benefits of smart metering
Onzo, the world’s leading expert in energy analytics, today responds to The smart metering programme: a consumer review report released yesterday. The report, to Which? by the Centre for Sustainable Energy, expresses their concerns about the financial justification for the UK Smart Metering deployment. Despite generating some negative comment, the thrust of their analysis is that there are real benefits to be achieved if the deployment is done well.
The fundamental point they make is that “it is imperative to ensure consumers receive their share of the significant benefits of smart meters which will accrue to energy suppliers”. This only becomes possible if consumers have access to sufficient data to allow the provision of new services.
Onzo welcomes this addition to the debate over the benefits of smart metering. Onzo has always been committed to using data to educate users about their energy and to provide compelling feedback to help them take control of their energy usage. Smart metering must be about more than just accurate and timely bills. It is important that everyone in the UK can be made aware of how they can influence their energy usage in a way that works for them.
The CSE report goes on to point out that there is a sensible balance that needs to be struck between data privacy and the ability to provide new energy services, and that the customer needs to be at the centre of that. It provides wise words about ensuring that public debate is based on evidence and not hearsay or mere enthusiasm for technology and warns that over-reaction on privacy could risk reducing the overall benefits of the smart metering programme, possibly even to the extent that the benefits become insufficient to justify the costs.
"This is an important addition to the smart metering debate from two of the most highly regarded organisations in the UK", said Nick Hunn, Onzo's CTO. "We are pleased to see its publication and hope that it will help to ensure that the UK’s deployment of smart metering gives consumers the benefits that they have always been promised".
-Ends-
About the Centre for Sustainable Energy
The Centre for Sustainable Energy ‘s, CSE, is an independent national charitable company that was initiated in 1979 with the vision for a world where sustainability is second nature, carbon emissions have been cut to safe levels and fuel poverty has been replaced by energy justice.
Their mission is to share our knowledge and practical experience to empower people to change the way they think and act about energy.They do this by giving advice, managing innovative energy projects, training others to act, and undertaking research and policy analysis.
Based in Bristol although much of their work has relevance and impact across the UK. Our clients and funders include national, regional and local government and associated agencies, energy companies and charitable sources. They are also a founder member of the charity-owned joint venture, Energy Advice South West Ltd, which manages the National Energy Advice Service in the South West.
For more information please visit www.cse.org.uk
