Use our real-world smart meter data to understand energy demand, identify opportunities for new products, and train clean tech algorithms
Need real-world energy data to accelerate your innovation?
Developing energy products is hard without access to real-world data. Most SMEs struggle with the same issues: data costs too much, it’s impossible to access, or it doesn’t include the context you need to interpret the data, and train algorithms.
On top of that, cashflow constraints can be a significant barrier when you’re an early-stage start-up.
That’s why we’re making four standard data sets available, each combining 12 months of smart meter data from real UK homes in the Living Lab. Each dataset includes contextual information about the households within it.
We have specifically designed this offering for early stage commercial innovators in the energy sector.
Each dataset is priced at £1,000.
Bespoke needs
We are happy to discuss your requirements for other data sets, including heating, EV charging, solar and battery usage. These would be costed on a bespoke basis.
Our fully privacy compliant datasets
Choose from four effectively anonymised standard datasets, each providing 12 months of high quality 30 minute smart meter data and household profile information for up to 200 homes.
1. A diverse mix of homes from around the UK
Electricity and gas data from a diverse mix of UK homes across different locations and housing archetypes
2. Homes with EVs
Electricity data from UK homes with electric vehicles and chargers around the country.
3. Heat pump homes
Electricity data from UK homes with heat pumps around the country.
4. Gas heating homes
Gas and electricity data from UK homes using gas for heating and hot water, around the country
Home profile information
Each dataset includes detailed contextual information about participating households, helping you interpret energy usage data more effectively.
This additional context allows you to segment and analyse the data in depth, helping you identify patterns across different household types, property archetypes, and technology adoption scenarios. By understanding the characteristics of each home and household, you can develop more targeted insights and identify opportunities for innovation.
- Property characteristics: housing archetype and number of bedrooms
- Broad location: electricity Distribution Network Operator (DNO) region
- Household composition: number of occupants under 16, of working age and of retirement age
- Installed energy technologies: central heating and hot water systems (such as heat pumps or gas boilers), plus details of electric vehicles and chargers, solar PV or wind generation, batteries or heat storage, and smart appliances.
Included in your purchase:
12 months of data in one download
12 months of data in one download
Access a complete year of high-quality smart meter data, recorded at half-hourly intervals to reveal detailed energy usage patterns across seasons and lifestyles.
Each dataset includes up to 200 anonymised homes, giving you a rich, representative sample to analyse trends, model consumer behaviour, or develop new energy products and services. With a simple one-off download, you can start exploring immediately, with no complex setup or ongoing subscription required.
Data dictionaries
Data dictionaries
Every dataset is accompanied by data dictionaries that explain the structure, variables and definitions used.
This makes it easy to interpret, clean and integrate the data into your own models or research tools, saving you time and reducing complexity. Whether you’re a data scientist, analyst or innovator, the dictionaries ensure you can confidently extract meaningful insights and put the data to work faster.
Why choose Living Lab data
Real homes, real people
Data from actual UK households. Our Living Lab has over 5,500 homes signed up across the nation with varying demographics and housing types.
Context you need
Household profile information helps you interpret the data. Understand home characteristics, occupancy, and energy technologies.
Completely secure and privacy compliant
Effectively anonymised with thorough, responsible steps taken to protect home privacy. Compliant with GDPR and Smart Energy Code requirements.
Built for budgets
Free samples to evaluate first. Standard data sets from £1,000. Pricing designed for startups and SMEs with real constraints.
Quick access
No lengthy approval processes or enterprise contracts. One-off purchases available for rapid prototyping and product development.
Independent and credible
Energy Systems Catapult brings expertise and independence. Data collection and quality assured by energy sector specialists.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly is included in the data?
Each data set includes 12 months of smart meter data (electricity and/or gas at 30-minute intervals), anonymised profile information about homes and households, and a data dictionary. See the “What’s included” section above for details on what is and isn’t provided.
What information is excluded from the data?
We do not include information about fuel poverty, specific building fabric details like wall insulation, or other sensitive personal information. This protects home privacy.
How recent is the data?
Data is exported monthly. When you purchase a dataset, you’ll receive the most recent export available.
Can I get a free sample first?
Yes. We offer a free sample of 5 homes from any data set so you can evaluate whether the data meets your needs before purchasing a full data set.
How is privacy protected?
All data is effectively anonymised. Personal identifiable information is removed, and location data is aggregated to regional level to minimise reidentification risk. We have taken thorough and responsible steps to ensure the privacy of all homes in our data sets, complying with GDPR and Smart Energy Code requirements.
What format is the data in?
Data is provided as downloadable files with a data dictionary to help you understand the structure and content.