Local Energy Asset Representation is a modelling tool developed by Energy Systems Catapult that using geospatial data analysis and aspects of machine learning to identify the Net Zero opportunities and energy system challenges in a local area. It pulls together local information on energy supply & demand, energy assets across generation, storage & distribution, social factors like fuel poverty and characteristics like building design types and local geography.

The York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (YNY LEP) utilised LEAR to support their vision for achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and milestone of 78% reduction by 2035. Locally, five local authorities have declared a climate emergency setting challenging decarbonisation targets up to twenty years ahead of that target. YNY LEP area covers well over 8,000 km2 and has a population of around 825,000 people.

YNY LEP requested their LEAR provide an understanding of the building stock in the local area by geographic location, including analysis of:

• Types of dwellings including building fabric
• Types of heating systems
• Annual and peak energy demands
• Potential for domestic on-roof solar PV and off-street parking for electric vehicle charging
• An assessment of energy networks that serve them including capacity and embedded generation.

The LEAR also provided information on the levels of employment and deprivation correlating to the building by building assessment in each area.

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Over 80% of local authorities in the UK have declare a climate emergency and targets of achieving Net Zero before 2050, yet few have a clear plan on not clear how to get there, what needs to be done in what order, or which technologies and infrastructure to invest in.

Local Area Energy Planning (LAEP) is a data-driven, whole system approach – that considers how to decarbonise the entire energy system at least cost across electricity, gas, heat and transport, down the supply chains from energy generation to distribution and consumption in homes and businesses, and across systems – the physical, digital, market and policy systems.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority and their 10 local authorities worked in collaboration with Energy Systems Catapult to develop LAEP across the whole city.

The 10 LAEPs explored the unique local characteristics of each borough, including the types of buildings, transport systems, local industry, local energy generation, storage and distribution assets to help better understand how our energy could be generated, distributed and used in the future.

Witha  target to be Net Zero by 2038, the LAEP set out five key measures to be carried out over the next five years:

• Retrofitting the fabric of 140,000 homes
• Installing nearly 2 GW of rooftop solar panels on homes
• Replacing 190,000 vehicles with electric alternatives
• Connecting 8,000 homes to heat networks
• Installing 116,000 heat pumps in homes

The LAEPs provide a timeline of decisions that need to be made, such as the combined authority settling on whether hydrogen will be a key part of decarbonising the heat network in the region around 2025. Around 2027, the combined authority is to see if further charging options are needed to encourage electric vehicle ownership for those who have to park their cars on the street.

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Net Zero Go was launched to tackle many of the common barriers to action on decarbonisation for local councils, such as time and resource, financing and procurement, and local energy knowhow.

Over 80% of local councils in the UK have “declared a climate emergency”, with Oxfordshire County Council aiming to be Net Zero by across its own estates and operations by 2030 and across the county itself by 2050.

Net Zero Go is helping Oxfordshire County Council to draw on best practice and learn from the experiences of other councils, to identity and deliver low carbon projects – including renewable energy generation and decarbonisation of their buildings, estate and transport fleet.

The NZG digital platform will streamline project management by giving access to stakeholders in a central location, providing 400+ guides, toolkits, articles, calculators and more .. such as tools to help develop a business case, workplan templates, and case studies.

Net Zero Go was co-developed with local authorities and draws on a range of experience and expertise from leaders in local energy and investors, including UK Research and Innovation, Innovate UK, BEIS, UK Energy Hubs, APSE, Anthesis, Ashden, Cornwall Insights, EnergyRev, Local Partnerships, UK100, the Local Government Association, the Green Finance Institute, HM Treasury, and the UK Infrastructure Bank.

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Up to 100,000 people in danger of struggling with their fuel bills will be proactively offered support and guidance, thanks to a new partnership led by UK Power Networks called Social Connect.

Energy Systems Catapult is working with the UK’s largest electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) using sophisticated data software to identify households across London, the East and South East who may need extra support, now and in the future.

The Social Connect project will use artificial intelligence and data science techniques to combine the UKPN information, existing fuel poverty insight, along with smart meter data supplied by households, and geographical and socio-economic statistics.

The AI system produced by software firm Urban Tide, will bring these data sets together into one simple dashboard which gives an accurate picture of who may need help, especially in areas where people are less likely to come forward and ask for support.

Energy Systems Catapult will draw on insight about behaviours, as well as smart data, allowing the Social Connect project to pioneer methods of working with fuel poor households to design support for them.

The methods developed can then be used to ensure that consumers across the UK can benefit from the opportunities of the smart flexible energy future.