Smart-Up

Smart-Up is an EU funded project that will encourage vulnerable customers in those Member States that have embarked on the roll-out of Smart Meters to actively use their Smart Meters and In-House Displays to achieve energy savings. Previous studies have shown that Smart Meters do not lead to energy savings in the residential sector unless households actively use them and modify their energy-use behaviour. Our project will fill this gap, as well as raise awareness on demand response services.

Our Aims

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To increase the active and effective use of smart meters and in-home displays (where fitted) by vulnerable consumers

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To encourage vulnerable consumers to change their energy-related behaviours in response to improved feedback information

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Enable vulnerable consumers to make significant energy savings, reduce their fuel bills and seize further opportunities that may be offered by demand-response services

Latest news

Key findings of the ‘Energy poverty and vulnerable consumers across the EU’ policy report

by admin | May 14, 2015 | Uncategorized

INSIGHT_E has recently (May 2015) published a policy report titled “Energy poverty and vulnerable consumers in the energy sector across the EU” which provides a comprehensive analysis of policies and measures across the 28 EU Member States titles . This report is based on bilateral discussions with energy poverty stakeholders (academics, government or public administration officials, various practitioners) across the Member States. The key findings include: Key findings: definitions Definitions used for vulnerable consumers vary significantly across Member States, reflecting differences in problem identification and in approaches to action. Less than a third of Member States explicitly recognise concepts of energy poverty. Those that do see it as a linked yet distinctive problem from vulnerable consumer protection. Key findings: measures Financial interventions are a crucial means of short-term protection for vulnerable consumers. Many Member States use the social welfare system to both identify recipients of support and distribute payments. Enhanced targeting of energy-poor needs to be balanced against administrative complexity. Additional consumer protection measures focus on vulnerable consumer protection, and are dominated by disconnection protection. This category also has a diverse set of measures, primarily coordinated by regulators and energy supply companies. Many measures e.g. billing information, codes of conduct, debt protection are often most prevalent in strongly liberalised markets. Energy efficiency measures, particularly those focusing on building retrofit, are a key part of a strategy to address energy poverty. There is considerable scope for increased targeting of such measures, although this requires an understanding of which are the energypoor households. There are a wide range of approaches to implementation e.g. funding source, extent of targeting, implementing body. Such factors need to be considered in view...

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About

The overarching aim of SMART-UP is to encourage the active use of Smart Meters and In-House Displays by vulnerable customers in those Member States where the roll-out of Smart Meters has been embarked upon. Previous studies have shown that Smart Meters do not lead to energy savings in the residential sector unless households actively use them and are encouraged to modify their everyday practices. Our project intends to fill this gap, while also raising awareness on demand response services.

Disclaimer

The sole responsibility for the content of this publication lies with the authors. It does not necessarily reflect the opinion of the European Union. Neither the EASME nor the European Commission are responsible for any use that may be made of the information contained therein.