Energy provider EDF Energy Networks is seeking funding from the £500m Ofgem Low Carbon Networks Fund to create a smart electricity distribution network that would help London cut its carbon emissions by 60 per cent by 2025. EDF's move is backed by the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.
‘Low Carbon London – A Learning Journey’ is a major collaborative project which would involve working with communities and businesses to create a blueprint for a future electricity distribution system to support the Government’s Low Carbon Transition Plan. The proposed project would encompass smart grid technologies and carbon-cutting commercial arrangements to encourage customers to play a key role in helping to match London’s electricity demand with available low carbon electricity production. It would also look at ways to accommodate the anticipated growth in micro-generation while managing higher demand for electricity created by the switch to electric cars.
“The key to becoming a cleaner, less polluted and more energy efficient city is to utilise clever new technologies," said Mayor Johnson. "I want London to be a pioneer in the introduction of ingenious solutions to crack the environmental challenges we face. This is being demonstrated in our work to encourage the mainstream use of zero-polluting electric vehicles and in the delivery of innovation programmes taking place in ten low carbon zones across the capital.
"We are pleased to support EDF Energy Networks’ bid, which if successful, will deliver significant funds to help us to accelerate the introduction of smart ways to improve Londoners' quality of life.”
EDF Energy Networks plans to work with the Greater London Authority, the London Development Agency, Transport for London and the Institute for Sustainability on some of the Mayor’s flagship programmes to make London more energy efficient, reduce energy bills, deliver new infrastructure and create ‘green collar’ jobs. These programmes include the ten low carbon zones that were awarded a share in £3m by the Mayor for reducing their carbon emissions by 20.12 per cent by 2012, as well as plans to make London the electric car capital of Europe. These plans are set to deliver 7500 electric vehicle charging points by spring 2013 with a target for 25,000 by 2015, supporting 100,000 electric vehicles.
Radical change for electricity networks
Laurent Ferrari, EDF Energy Networks’ Managing Director, said: “We welcome the support of the Mayor for our bid. The low carbon economy is around the corner and electricity distribution network companies must radically change the way they run their networks to play their part in making it happen. If we are successful in our bid, the Low Carbon Networks Fund will give us a fantastic opportunity to work closely with our partners and customers in London to help facilitate a low-carbon future and generate vital new knowledge for the whole industry.”
EDF Energy Networks says it is not proposing a ‘quick fix’: the purpose of the project is to help identify the main challenges that all distribution network operators will have to face in delivering a future low carbon electricity system. The learning from the project would help to form a long-term low carbon strategy, together with a clear view of the new skills and training needed.
A ‘Low Carbon London Learning Laboratory’ would capture and share information about the important role that electricity distribution companies will need to play in working with customers and partners to reduce CO2 emissions and drive real changes in electricity demand and local generation. EDF Energy Networks’ Low Carbon Networks Fund project submission has benefitted from the expertise of partners including Siemens, Logica, National Grid and Imperial College London, plus Smarter Grid Solutions, EnerNOC and Flexitricity.
