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‘Smart grid’ project heads to the region

HOMES in the North East are to be given smart meters as part of a £54m ‘smart grid project’ to test the UK’s low carbon future.

Set up by CE Electric UK, British Gas, Durham University and EA Technology, the project will examine how well the national grid can cope with increased demand from new technologies such as electric vehicles and solar panels, as consumers sell electricity back to the grid.

The project will also help homes and businesses cut down their energy waste through the use of over 160,000 smart meters and installation of solar PV panels in 800 homes.

Electric cars will be given to 150 consumers and 1,500 ground source or air source heat pumps will also be installed in properties in the region.

Some homes will also be installed with combined heat and power boilers.

Phil Bentley, managing director of British Gas, commented: “With tough climate targets to meet, and volatile wholesale energy markets, it is vital that Britain makes the transition to a low carbon economy - and no single company has all the answers.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .