Wednesday, 09 September 2026
A new type of community-led energy platform that matches local supply and demand so people can share and trade energy could bring down consumer costs and create a more resilient system, according to experts.
Engineering experts from the 糖心原创 along with their industry and civic partners are calling on the government to consider their proposed system called WISEGRID as a cost-effective way to help manage soaring energy prices and meet sustainability targets.
The transition to Net Zero will see millions of homes adopt clean technologies with solar panels, heat pumps, electric vehicles, and batteries becoming common place. The unmanaged growth of clean technology will place significant strain on electricity networks. Grid reinforcement is the current solution to this, requiring major infrastructure upgrades to increase capacity. Ultimately, the cost of this investment will be passed on to both domestic and commercial consumers for decades.
In a policy brief launched this week called ‘WISEGRID: emPowering Local Community Energy’, a community-led platform is proposed that matches local supply and demand, so participants can share and trade energy, shifting when electricity is generated, stored, and used.
The experts outline how flexible technologies - such as heat pumps, electric vehicle batteries, solar generation, and home energy storage - can work together to flatten peak demand, reduce pressure on the grid, and unlock new value for households. In turn, consumer costs will be reduced via the assurance of fairer import tariffs and improved export rates for the generation and use of distributed energy. This will enable a more affordable, resilient and inclusive energy system by combining community coordination, smart technology, and targeted network upgrades where they are genuinely needed.
The WiseGrid approach could help communities balance local energy which in turn reduces grid strain, lowers bills, and unlocks the full value of clean energy technologies. WiseGrid will offer a smarter alternative for a just energy transition by enabling communities to manage and optimise their energy assets.
Industry partner Smartklub, (a specialist in innovating community energy schemes to reduce costs and improve energy equity) created WiseGrid's business model.
WiseGrid is a new approach to local power that enables communities to 鈥榯rade鈥� their rooftop solar and battery energy with their neighbours. It will strengthen communities and help accelerate the adoption of low-carbon technologies while avoiding unnecessary infrastructure costs.
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More information is available from Professor Mark Gillott on Mark.Gillott@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.