Groundbreaking work puts vulnerable customers at heart of SSEN future energy strategy.

Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks Distribution is the first electricity network operator to enshrine care for its most vulnerable customers at the heart of its plans for developing the electricity networks of the future.

SSEN has successfully delivered an innovation project, known as VFES (Vulnerability Future Energy Scenarios). It accurately predicts when and where communities are less resilient, less affluent, and more seriously affected by prolonged or frequent power cuts. It can also assess where and when they are likely to miss out on the benefits low-carbon technologies are bringing.

VFES also sets out to give us a heads-up of what new circumstances may end up having an adverse effect on certain groups of people. This project has been funded by the regulator Ofgem’s Network Innovation Allowance (NIA).

Ensuring no customer is left behind

Many of the new technologies that people are choosing, like EVs and heat pumps, will result is a greater demand for clean, renewable electricity.? While this is welcome, SSEN knows there is a possibility some customers may be unwilling, or unable to make these changes.

SSEN is always looking at the forecasts for future energy supply and demand; they help us understand how customers’ use of the network is likely to change. But SSEN’s sector-leading work on vulnerability goes into greater depth when it comes to customers and communities, using techniques and technology to help identify the needs of specific groups of customers who would benefit from help.

SSEN’s project manager for VFES Simon O'Loughlin :

“In this groundbreaking project, we’ve used predictions, data, and expert analysis to learn so much more about how, where and when our customers might find themselves in more vulnerable situations. “This level of understanding is already being put in place to plan our network investment strategies, not just in regions which will see a high uptake in low carbon technologies, but also communities where customers rely on energy more than most; and who may need more support with using low-carbon solutions."

This work is being informed by energy and foresighting experts at 英国帝国理工学院 , with data insights from the Smith Institute, and assessment and validation provided by the experts at the UK’s foremost fuel poverty charity, National Energy Action (NEA) , who have been part of the project to champion the needs of consumers.