Wednesday, 07 Jul 2010
“This is state of the art technology, some of which is being used for the first time in the UK”
Geoff Murphy
Scottish Power
A view of Liverpool docks at dusk
Liverpool gets smart energy boost
The £1 million pilot in Liverpool’s Toxteth will provide up to 1,200 households with solar panels, smart meters or wind turbines, as well as setting up public charging points for electric cars.
Led by energy utility Scottish Power, it marks the first major effort to create a low-carbon electricity network in a single district. As well as leading the country’s transition towards a low-carbon economy, the scheme should create an array of investment and job opportunities.
Geoff Murphy of Scottish Power said: “Our main aim is to put Liverpool at the forefront of low carbon technology. This is state of the art technology, some of which is being used for the first time in the UK.”
He described the Merseyside scheme as “the most exciting and relevant” the firm was involved in as it covered a densely populated area with a variety of schools, housing and businesses.
Plus Dane, a housing association that owns 600 houses in Toxteth, will work alongside tenants to see how to encourage public acceptance of the technology. Erika Rushton, Enterprise Director of Plus Dane, explained: “Consumers have to have a voice in this to make sure it is not a technology-driven project but [benefits] consumers.”
Opportunities in the North West
Ofgem, the energy regulator, is funding the trial along with Scottish Power, EA Technology and The Mersey Partnership (TMP), a regional economic development and inward investment agency. The partners have bid for £6 million from Ofgem to expand it across south Liverpool.
Lorraine Rogers, Chief Executive of TMP, described the technology as “the new broadband”. She added: “The SmartGrid trial will be the catalyst for investment and job opportunities in the Liverpool city region.”
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