Project LEO identifies hurdles in transition to a net zero energy system
Project LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire), a collaborative cross-sector project to run trials across Oxfordshire to understand how new technologies and services can benefit local people, communities, and the energy system has published its final report.
The learnings are now being shared with the industry and policymakers in to help deliver the structures that will enable and support the transition to net zero. Key recommendations are:
Local Area Energy Plans (LAEPs) should be mandatory, convened by local authorities whose central role is supported by appropriate resourcing, and dedicated to a ‘whole systems’ approach that will adopt the best solutions for each area, informed by the priorities of the local community.
Aggregators, in the widest sense, are essential to develop flexibility markets, offering the skills and expertise that can open up participation in flexibility markets to whoever wishes to engage: this will be core to delivering a fair transition.
The regulatory framework must support network operators’ ability to invest in electricity infrastructure, data and digital for the long term and in anticipation of new demand, to ensure our net zero targets are reached.
With increasing value being placed on flexible resources, such as battery storage, local energy generation and shiftable electricity demand connected to the electricity network, Project LEO trials have looked into how small-scale electricity system users can play a role in providing flexibility to the network. The Project has also studied the infrastructure, markets and regulations that should be put in place to make this flexibility commercially and technically viable.
LEO is one of three smart local energy system demonstrator projects in the UK, using Oxfordshire to replicate the electricity system of the future, taking a ‘whole systems’ approach. Through collaborative, cross-sector working, LEO has demonstrated some of the ways changes to our energy system can accelerate our transition to Net Zero, bringing about social, economic, and environmental benefits for all.
Key organisations involved in the project are Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN), Low Carbon Hub, University of Oxford, Oxford Brookes University, EDF energy, Piclo, Oxfordshire County Council, Nuvve, Oxford City Council, Origami.
Mel Bryce, Oxfordshire Programme Director for SSEN Distribution said, “Project LEO was ambitious in its scope from the start, taking a ‘whole systems’ approach at a local level and trialling how local assets, such as buildings and local communities can use smart, clean technologies to help balance the local network. In doing so we identified benefits to residents, local communities, energy generators and electricity networks, but we also found ways in which the policy and regulatory frameworks could better support the transition to net zero.
“Our report sets out the measures to speed progress on technical, commercial, social and regulatory areas. To deliver a decarbonised electricity system in just a dozen years, I encourage policymakers to be bold: take action now to ensure the knowledge, skills and markets are in place. I look forward to building on our learnings to help embed LEO learnings in the UK’s net zero future.”
Chris Skidmore MP, Chair of the Net Zero Review said added, “Project LEO is a ground-breaking trial which has advanced our collective thinking on how to make decarbonisation feasible and beneficial at the local level. Our electricity networks lie at the heart of some of the most difficult problems that must be solved if the UK is to meet its net zero targets and Project LEO has made a massive contribution to identifying and proposing solutions for those challenges.
“Making maximum use of the infrastructure we have in place is vital, but network operators must also be allowed to anticipate future demand and invest ahead of need, increasing the capacity of their network. Delays in expanding grid capacity mean cheap, low carbon power, and the goodwill of engaged communities, risks being wasted.”
Download the report here
https://project-leo.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/LEO-Final-Report-Web_lr.pdf