The Energy Revolution Integration Service (ERIS) was created by Energy Systems Catapult to play a central role in Innovate UK’s £102.5 million Prospering from the Energy Revolution (PFER) programme – running from 2018-2023.

ERIS delivered a legacy of insights, tools, learning and thought leadership to support the development of Smart Local Energy Systems (SLES) to help local communities reach Net Zero.

The Challenge

To achieve Net Zero by 2050 will require unprecedented planning and action at local level to drive energy innovation, such as flexibility and demand management driven by digital technologies that help empower local actors, such as UK local authorities, to deliver actions that benefit their communities.

PFER brought together businesses, local stakeholders and the best UK researchers and energy experts to develop and demonstrate approaches to developing different types of SLES – linking low-carbon power, heating and transport systems with clean energy storage and advanced IT to create intelligent, local energy generation systems and services – with the aim of delivering cleaner, cheaper and more resilient energy to consumers.

The Solutions

Drawing on in-depth expertise, knowledge and capability from across Energy Systems Catapult, ERIS delivered significant value to the PfER programme, including:

• Platforms, Tools, Guidance and Data for local places developing Smart Local Energy Systems, including the delivery of cross-project engagement activities, knowledge and data-sharing platforms, such as:
  • Net Zero Go is a unique, powerful, easy-to-use platform bringing together all the tools and support that local authorities need to develop successful, locally-focused zero carbon projects.
  • Zerocarbon.vote is a unique online consultation tool designed to help local authorities and businesses understand the zero carbon choices of local people.
  • Aspects of Integration is a framework developed to encourage systems thinking that considering eight aspects of systems integration to identify risks, the readiness of solutions and your team’s ability to deliver.
• Insights for Adopting Smart Local Energy Systems were developed, with a range of reports, webinars, workshops, blogs and articles on topics including: digital & data, people & skills, social housing, finance & investment, procurement and business models for SLES.
• Working Groups and Policy Briefs were developed on themes including: policy and regulation and innovating with users & communities to support the PfER projects and provide access to key stakeholders (e.g. Ofgem, BEIS, Smart DCC, BSI).
• Local Area Energy Plans are a data-driven, collaborative and evidence-based approach to identifying a costed route for local areas to achieve Net Zero. ERIS delivered three LAEPs and ‘Guidance on creating a local area energy plan’ which is now being adopted as the industry standard.
• Digitalisation is an essential part of creating SLES projects and ERIS helped deliver two key projects: Modernising Energy Data Access (MEDA), which created a common data architecture, and Modernising Energy Data Applications (MEDApps), which funded the development of data applications by innovators that address the needs of users and developers of local energy systems.
• Energy Outcomes Evaluation of 13 PfER projects (three demonstration and 10 detailed design) were delivered to quantify impact on bills and carbon emissions, user acceptance of SLES design and commercial viability. The insights were published in three portfolio reports.

The Impact

• Delivery of 27 Local Energy Asset Representations to help optimise project locations within an area and over 10 electives (providing targeted guidance and insights)
• Net Zero Knowledge Library with over 650 articles, 30 case studies and six tools and guides.
• Net Zero Projects Guide with seven stages from initial concept through to funding and procurement and on to build and operation.
• Net Zero Go success can be demonstrated by the high engagement figures and positive feedback from over 300 users.
• Greenhouse gas savings from 2% to 108% and user bill savings ranging from 0% to 57% were evidenced across PFER projects, with key examples of effective community engagement and “investable, scalable local business models”.
• Delivery of three Local Area Energy Plans helped stimulate the supply chain including one each by Arup and Buro Happold.