According to National Grid's Future Energy Scenarios (2018), peak electricity demand could increase by 3-8 GW by 2030 (4-14%) and by 3-13 GW by 2050 (6-22%). With more intermittent renewable generation and an increase in EV charging, energy costs for business customers have been increasing, with variable charges forming 59% of the bill and set to increase even further (Inenco, 2018). As identified by the Carbon Trust - UK (2016), a smarter energy system could provide benefits to consumers of £2.4-8 billion per year by 2030\.

Local renewable generation including solar is essential to achieve UK carbon reduction targets. However, currently their payback periods are beyond the typical short-term expectations of investors and businesses. Furthermore, participation in demand management services and demand side response is currently only viable for high energy users - only a relatively low number of industrial clients and large building owners have taken advantage to date, by deploying smart technology and energy storage solutions. Alternatively, local energy markets can incentivise local generation and demand management while reducing costs for consumers. Distribution system operators (DSOs) are looking to reward providers of flexibility in order to manage network constraints. Customers need systems that enables them to respond to market price signals.

Qbots systems can connect to Half-Hourly (HH) and smart metered sites, energy monitoring sensors, Building Management Systems (BMS), solar PV and battery storage, to collect, visualise and analyse data from sites. The UrbanX project will develop an innovative local energy trading system to exchange energy between buildings at Keele University, utilising flexibility, battery storage, solar generation and EV charging. An AI intermediary service platform, called QEnergy, will be used in a grid-connected test-bed, with data from Keele University buildings. UrbanX will deliver cheaper energy bills while unlocking revenue from the energy markets by providing value services like demand side response. UrbanX will manage EV charging with local site demand thereby reducing the stress on the network.
A pilot trial will be undertaken with a commercial customer in Bolton, Greater Manchester, for a mixed-use redevelopment with retail, commercial office and residential buildings. This will help refine the product and services enabling future commercialisation beyond the project, targeting new city centre developments and private network campus sites including universities, business parks, science parks, and airports. The offering of QEnergy ([www.qenergy.ai][0]) will also be available directly to customers and will target local regions, while working with local authorities.

[0]: http://www.qenergy.ai/