The changing future energy demands of eleven major British cities, including Bristol, are revealed in a new report published today by Smart Energy GB, the voice of the smart meter rollout.
This is the first time that predictions about future energy demand in the UK have been analysed and published on a city level.
Powering future cities, carried out by the Centre for Economics and Business Research, shows that this growing demand will primarily be driven by urban population growth, economic growth and a predicted surge in use of new technology, including electric vehicles. Many cities are already making smart changes to prepare for the future.
Domestic electricity use could see the biggest increase in demand, forecast to rise by as much as 34 per cent in Bristol in the next 20 years. Meanwhile, demand for domestic gas would increase by 19 per cent if further steps are not taken to improve housing energy efficiency.
Of the 11 major UK cities analysed in the report, Bristol could see the third highest demand for domestic electricity, behind Cardiff and London, unless significant changes are made.
The need to use more renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, to meet future demand also brings challenges; as peaks and troughs in supply of electricity, caused by changes in the weather, need to be managed.
The report highlights some of the great strides our cities are already making to meet demand, using smarter technology.
Bristol City Council is making significant efforts to prepare for more efficient city living through a number of smart city initiatives, working with the Centre for Sustainable Energy on the Bristol Smart Energy City Collaboration, designed to tackle future challenges in energy demand.
Simon Roberts, Chief Executive at the Centre for Sustainable Energy said: “We set up the Bristol Smart City Energy Collaboration because we could see the huge opportunity to make the most of the data emerging from the smart meter rollout. Working with others, we have mapped out the steps needed to leverage this smart energy data to curb energy waste and cut demand, enhance the value of local renewable energy generation, and target better support to people in fuel poverty. These steps are vital to ensure Bristol has a truly sustainable energy future and we believe collaboration is the only way to take them.”
Suzanne Wilson, City Innovation Manager at Bristol City Council said: “To ensure our future cities flourish sustainably, we need the collective input from citizens, community groups, businesses and local authorities.
“Bristol City Council is proud to be part of the Bristol Smart Energy City Collaboration to explore how collectively we can capitalise on the introduction of smart meters. We believe this smart technology can play a crucial role in addressing fuel poverty, increasing renewable generation and reducing demand, all necessary to help us meet our goal of a carbon neutral Bristol by 2050.”
Smart meters will be installed in every home in Great Britain by 2020. They will connect with and send data to energy suppliers and will help cities better manage energy demand.
Sacha Deshmukh, Chief Executive of Smart Energy GB said:
“This report looks at the challenges and opportunities ahead for our cities as energy demands change. It provides, for the first time, a detailed, city-level picture of future energy needs.
“Smart meters are an essential step to a smarter future. Many cities, such as Bristol, have already started to use smart technology to create cleaner, greener environments. With smart meters installed across the country there are great opportunities for further innovation.”