Real-time monitoring vs. UK consumer demand

James Summerbell , Managing Director, and Robert Brown MIET , Senior Director at ENGIE Impact explore the international approach for major energy users in making energy attribute certificate allocation and renewable energy procurement more transparent, efficient, and cost-effective.

The transition to renewable energy is a critical component of the UK’s strategy to achieve Net Zero carbon emissions by 2050. As the country increasingly relies on renewable sources such as wind, solar, and hydroelectric power, it becomes essential to monitor and align energy production with consumer demand profiles. This alignment ensures a stable, efficient, and sustainable energy system that can meet the needs of consumers while minimising the environmental impact.

The growing share of renewable energy

Renewable energy sources have seen significant growth in the UK over the past decade. According to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), renewables accounted for 50.4 per cent of the UK’s electricity generation in 2024, up from just 6.9 per cent in 2010. This rapid increase highlights the importance of integrating these variable energy sources into the national grid effectively.

Variability and intermittency of renewable energy

One of the primary challenges of renewable energy is its variability and intermittency. Unlike fossil fuels, which can be burned and controlled to produce electricity on demand, renewable energy production depends on natural conditions (an ‘intermittent but sustainable feedstock’). For example, solar power generation is highest during sunny days and drops significantly at night or during cloudy weather. Similarly, wind power is contingent on wind speeds, which can fluctuate throughout the day and across seasons.

Consumer demand profiles

Consumer demand for electricity also varies throughout the day and year. Peak demand in the UK typically occurs in the early evening when businesses change shift, people return home from work, cook dinner, and use household appliances. There are also seasonal variations, with higher demand in winter due to heating needs and lower demand in summer. Understanding these demand profiles is crucial for ensuring that the energy supply meets consumer needs without overloading the grid, which could lead to potential blackouts.

The need for monitoring and alignment

To address the challenges posed by the variability of renewable energy and the fluctuating nature of consumer demand, industry transparency between renewable asset operators, energy suppliers and consumers is essential. It is necessary to monitor and align energy production with demand profiles. This alignment can be achieved through several strategies:

1. Advanced forecasting and real-time data analytics Utilising advanced forecasting techniques and data analytics (like the image of our system below) can help predict both renewable energy generation and consumption demand more accurately. By analysing historical data and weather patterns, we can anticipate periods of high and low production and illustrate the Carbon Free Energy (CFE) score of a client’s operation accordingly.

2. Energy storage solutions Implementing energy storage solutions, such as short- and long-term batteries and pumped hydro storage, can help balance supply and demand. These systems store excess energy produced during periods of high renewable generation and release it during times of high demand or low production, ensuring a continuous and reliable energy supply.

3. Demand Response Programs Encouraging consumers to shift their energy usage away from peak times through demand response programmes can help flatten demand peaks and reduce strain on the local and wider grid. Incentives such as lower electricity rates during off-peak hours can motivate consumers to adjust their usage patterns.

4. Grid modernisation and smart grids Modernising the electricity grid and implementing smart grid technologies can enhance the grid’s flexibility and resilience. Smart grids also use real-time data to manage energy flows more efficiently, integrate distributed energy resources, and respond dynamically to changes in supply and demand.

5. Policy and regulatory support Government policies and regulationsplay a crucial role in facilitating the integration of renewable energy and demand management. Supportive policies can encourage investment in renewable energy, energy storage, and grid modernisation, while regulatory frameworks can ensure fair and efficient market operations.

Benefits of monitoring and alignment

Monitoring and aligning renewable energy production with consumer demand profiles offer several benefits:

? Enhanced grid stability – By ensuring that energy supply matches demand, the risk of blackouts and grid instability is mitigated. This stability is crucial for supporting the economy and maintaining consumer confidence.

? Increased transparency of carbon free renewable energy utilisation – Effective alignment maximises the use of renewable energy, reducing reliance on (often imported) fuels, mainly natural and liquefied natural gas (LNG), and lowering greenhouse gas emissions. This supports your own environmental and sustainability ambitions and promotes the UK’s climate goals.

? Cost Savings – Efficient energy management can lead to cost savings for both energy consumers and providers. By reducing the need for the expensive standby peaking power plants and optimising energy usage, overall system costs will be lowered.

? Energy security – A well-balanced energy system enhances energy security by reducing dependence on often imported fuels and increasing resilience to supply disruptions.

Conclusion

As we all continue our transition to a renewable energy future, monitoring and aligning CFE and scoring energy production in line with your own consumption demand profiles is essential. By leveraging advanced technologies like the system images shown, energy storage solutions, demand response programmes, and supportive policies, we can create a stable, efficient, and sustainable energy system together. This approach not only supports the UK’s climate goals but also ensures that we will have access to reliable and affordable energy for many years to come.

Managing all the above with the right tools and expertise is what it takes to move from strategy to implementation. With decades of renewable energy expertise, ENGIE Impact's teams help organisations navigate complex challenges and accelerate decarbonisation programmes.

If you want to discuss the forces of change in energy management and how to drive Renewable Energy adoption across your portfolio, reach out to Robert Brown, Senior Director on +44(0)7818 888557 [email protected] or www.engieimpact.com/contact

This article appears in the Spring Issue of Buying and Using Utilities magazine. Read more ?? https://meucnetwork.co.uk/buu-spring-2025/