In response to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) consultation on ‘Smart Secure Electricity Systems (SSES) Programme: first phase energy smart appliances regulations’, Energy Systems Catapult said:

Smart appliances and load control are essential to a secure, flexible, and Net Zero electricity system, and must be supported by clear, adaptable definitions, proportionate and risk-based regulation that enables small and innovative providers, and strong consumer protections, while early flexibility markets are treated as learning environments with phased, iterative implementation.

Key points

• Smart appliances and load control are essential to a secure, flexible, and Net Zero electricity system. Clear and adaptable definitions that can evolve with new technologies are critical to reduce regulatory uncertainty and support innovation.
• Regulation must be proportionate and risk-based. High fixed compliance costs risk excluding smaller and innovative providers. We therefore support the introduction of graduated or threshold-based requirements that scale with customer numbers, controllable load, and system impact, alongside lighter-touch approaches for low-risk actors. Phased and iterative implementation, aligned with recognised standards, will support evidence-based, innovation-friendly regulation.
• Strong consumer protection and adaptive regulation are essential. Transparency, consent, user control, safety, and fair exit must be guaranteed, with attention to enabling participation from small and innovative market participants. Early flexibility markets should be treated as learning environments, with requirements reviewed and refined over time.