TEDDINET: network of (Build)TEDDI projects
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Edinburgh
Department Name: Sch of Geosciences
Abstract
Reducing (and shifting) energy demand is a vital component to more sustainable energy use. Information and communication technologies (ICT) are a key enabling factor to improved demand management, opening (in principle at least) the road not only to smart meters and smart grids, but also to smart citizens who are more aware of their energy use and are acting on that information to reduce energy bills and energy wastage in their daily life.
The Research Councils UK, through their Digital Economy and Energy programmes, are supporting a very substantial amount of research on the impacts of digital innovation on energy demand reduction in all aspects of life. In total £22 million has been committed to 22 interdisciplinary research projects under two related calls; 'Transforming Energy Demand through Digital Innovation' (TEDDI, 2009) and 'Transforming Energy Demand in Buildings through Digital Innovation' (BuildTEDDI, 2011). No fewer than 29 universities and over 70 high-profile commercial and government organisations are involved in the (Build)TEDDI programme. Across such a large programme there are many potential opportunities for collaboration, including knowledge sharing, pooling of resources, collaborative data mining etc. But with each project team needing to focus on the delivery of their own research objectives, there is little time and breathing space to explore, build and maintain collaborations across the 21 projects.
We are asking for resources to create a network for all the (build)TEDDI projects to ensure that all opportunities for collaboration are identified and utilised. Over a 4 year period we propose a range of activities to improve communication and knowledge exchange between research and stakeholder communities (industry sectors and policy makers), to build a strong and cohesive research community and maximise academic collaboration between the 22 (build)TEDDI projects for improved project outputs and increased research impacts.
We have developed plans for a total of 14 different types of activities, including engagement with relevant industry sectors to ensure that research findings, experiments and experiences are stimulating innovations and industrial development; stronger and more sustained debate with policy makers to improve the provision of evidence for policy; a 'single shop front' to present all (Build)TEDDI projects and their outputs to date; a pooling of research data and academic publications; systematic and comprehensive dissemination programme of project findings to targeted audiences and stakeholders.
The Research Councils UK, through their Digital Economy and Energy programmes, are supporting a very substantial amount of research on the impacts of digital innovation on energy demand reduction in all aspects of life. In total £22 million has been committed to 22 interdisciplinary research projects under two related calls; 'Transforming Energy Demand through Digital Innovation' (TEDDI, 2009) and 'Transforming Energy Demand in Buildings through Digital Innovation' (BuildTEDDI, 2011). No fewer than 29 universities and over 70 high-profile commercial and government organisations are involved in the (Build)TEDDI programme. Across such a large programme there are many potential opportunities for collaboration, including knowledge sharing, pooling of resources, collaborative data mining etc. But with each project team needing to focus on the delivery of their own research objectives, there is little time and breathing space to explore, build and maintain collaborations across the 21 projects.
We are asking for resources to create a network for all the (build)TEDDI projects to ensure that all opportunities for collaboration are identified and utilised. Over a 4 year period we propose a range of activities to improve communication and knowledge exchange between research and stakeholder communities (industry sectors and policy makers), to build a strong and cohesive research community and maximise academic collaboration between the 22 (build)TEDDI projects for improved project outputs and increased research impacts.
We have developed plans for a total of 14 different types of activities, including engagement with relevant industry sectors to ensure that research findings, experiments and experiences are stimulating innovations and industrial development; stronger and more sustained debate with policy makers to improve the provision of evidence for policy; a 'single shop front' to present all (Build)TEDDI projects and their outputs to date; a pooling of research data and academic publications; systematic and comprehensive dissemination programme of project findings to targeted audiences and stakeholders.
Planned Impact
TEDDINET impacts will be of benefit to many industry, policy maker and public stakeholders including:
-Department for Energy and Climate Change
-Department of Business Skills and Innovation
-OFGEM
-'Big 6' Energy Companies (iBritish Gas, E.On, EdF etc)
-SME Tech Companies (GEO, Sentec, NI)
-SmartGridGB
-Technology Strategy Board
-Energy Technologies Institute
-Research & Commercialisation Networks (ARCC, MBE KTN, UKERC NERN, Smart Grid GB)
-IT Companies (INTEL, IBM, O2, Telefonica)
-Local Government Organisations
-Housing Associations
-Built Environment & Smart Meter Stakeholders (CIBSE, BRE, EST)
We have put in place a number of activities to ensure that impacts are delivered throughout the network's duration and have a long-lasting influence on the future policy direction and commercialisation pathways. In summary this includes:
- High-profile Annual Meetings to bring together the key stakeholders to discuss emerging High-Level themes in digital innovation and energy demand
- Thematic workshops to explore specific issues within the (Build)TEDDI scope and consolidate expert knowledge in this area
- Final events for TEDDINET including a 'technical commercialisation' event to accelerate uptake of the research outputs
- Three High-Level Theme annual reports for Years 1, 2, and 3 (drawing on Annual Meeting, Thematic Workshops and other evidence-gathering)
- Final report on High-Level Themes in Year 4 (drawing on the Final Meeting, the Technical Commercialisation Event and Thematic Workshops)
- A 'Strategic Research Agenda' report in Year 4 (including recommendations for research funders on future direction and priorities for TEDDI research)
In addition TEDDINET will play a key role in data curation, ensuring this takes place for the (Build)TEDDI projects. EPSRC have recently funded an End-Use Energy Demand Research Centre for Energy Epidemiology (CEE). TEDDINET will work with CEE and others to provide: i) advice on data curation and legacy to the (Build)TEDDI projects; ii) identification of a suitable data archive facility; iii) monitoring on the progress of data archiving within the (Build)TEDDI programme; iv) promoting the Open Access goals of RCUK; and v) dissemination of the archived data to maximise the impacts of the (Build)TEDDI datasets.
-Department for Energy and Climate Change
-Department of Business Skills and Innovation
-OFGEM
-'Big 6' Energy Companies (iBritish Gas, E.On, EdF etc)
-SME Tech Companies (GEO, Sentec, NI)
-SmartGridGB
-Technology Strategy Board
-Energy Technologies Institute
-Research & Commercialisation Networks (ARCC, MBE KTN, UKERC NERN, Smart Grid GB)
-IT Companies (INTEL, IBM, O2, Telefonica)
-Local Government Organisations
-Housing Associations
-Built Environment & Smart Meter Stakeholders (CIBSE, BRE, EST)
We have put in place a number of activities to ensure that impacts are delivered throughout the network's duration and have a long-lasting influence on the future policy direction and commercialisation pathways. In summary this includes:
- High-profile Annual Meetings to bring together the key stakeholders to discuss emerging High-Level themes in digital innovation and energy demand
- Thematic workshops to explore specific issues within the (Build)TEDDI scope and consolidate expert knowledge in this area
- Final events for TEDDINET including a 'technical commercialisation' event to accelerate uptake of the research outputs
- Three High-Level Theme annual reports for Years 1, 2, and 3 (drawing on Annual Meeting, Thematic Workshops and other evidence-gathering)
- Final report on High-Level Themes in Year 4 (drawing on the Final Meeting, the Technical Commercialisation Event and Thematic Workshops)
- A 'Strategic Research Agenda' report in Year 4 (including recommendations for research funders on future direction and priorities for TEDDI research)
In addition TEDDINET will play a key role in data curation, ensuring this takes place for the (Build)TEDDI projects. EPSRC have recently funded an End-Use Energy Demand Research Centre for Energy Epidemiology (CEE). TEDDINET will work with CEE and others to provide: i) advice on data curation and legacy to the (Build)TEDDI projects; ii) identification of a suitable data archive facility; iii) monitoring on the progress of data archiving within the (Build)TEDDI programme; iv) promoting the Open Access goals of RCUK; and v) dissemination of the archived data to maximise the impacts of the (Build)TEDDI datasets.
Organisations
Publications
Britton J
(2017)
Smart meter data and equitable energy transitions - can cities play a role?
in Local Environment
Buchanan K
(2018)
Feedback in energy-demand reduction
in Building Research & Information
Buswell R
(2016)
Multidisciplinary research: should effort be the measure of success?
in Building Research & Information
Mallaband B
(2017)
The reality of cross-disciplinary energy research in the United Kingdom: A social science perspective
in Energy Research & Social Science
Mallaband B
(2017)
Crossing transdisciplinary boundaries within energy research: An 'on the ground' perspective from early career researchers
in Energy Research & Social Science
Staddon S
(2017)
Reflecting on personal and professional energy stories in energy demand research
in Energy Research & Social Science
Staddon S
(2016)
Intervening to change behaviour and save energy in the workplace: A systematic review of available evidence
in Energy Research & Social Science
Van Der Horst D
(2014)
Smart energy, and society?
in Technology Analysis & Strategic Management
Van Der Horst D
(2015)
Improving energy literacy through student-led fieldwork - at home
in Journal of Geography in Higher Education
Van Der Horst D
(2017)
Types of learning identified in reflective energy diaries of post-graduate students
in Energy Efficiency
| Description | we are still in the process of synthesising the findings from across the network and we aim to communicate the key findings by publication |
| Exploitation Route | writing in progress - see above |
| Sectors | Digital/Communication/Information Technologies (including Software) Education Energy Environment Government Democracy and Justice |
| Description | because this is a network grant rather than a research grant, and we can only attribute impact to one project, it is difficult to attribute impacts to TEDDINET only. The most attributable direct impact has perhaps been on career development and citizenship. A number of early career researchers have said that TEDDINET had been very beneficial to them, in terms of learning, developing skills and new networking and collaborative opportunities. The journal special issue contributions were dominated by early career researchers as lead authors, and especially women. For example, early career researchers who participated in coordinating the special issues have gone on to secure permanent academic positions. TEDDINET has also set the scene for the PI to provide more input into government policy, through discussions with policy makers at various events, but more concretely and recently through joining the new the Scottish Government's independent Energy Consumers Commission. |
| First Year Of Impact | 2016 |
| Sector | Education,Government, Democracy and Justice |
| Impact Types | Policy & public services |
| Description | Co-producing smart energy data and behaviours - opportunities and challenges: A Panel Discussion |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | TEDDINET hosted a Panel Discussion at the 2014's main geographer's conference, the RGS-IBG Annual International Conference 2014 in London. Sponsored by the Energy Geographies Working Group, the session brought together 5 experts to debate 'the co-production of smart energy data and behaviours'. The panellists included two members of the TEDDINET Advisory Panel Michael Harrison (DECC) and Roger Street (UKCIP) and 3 leading academics; Sarah Darby (ECI, Oxford), Tom Hargreaves (UEA) and Nazmiye Balta-Ozkan (PSI/Cranfield). |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | https://teddinet.org/promoting-academic-excellence-activity.php?s=co-producing-smart-energy-data-and... |
| Description | EERA smart cities workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | EERA is the european energy research alliance; a pan-european research network on energy related research. TEDDINET is facilitating the involvement of UK researchers in the EERA work stream on smart cities. TEDDINET hosted the EERA summer workshop on Smart Cities at Loughborough, bringing together researchers from across the EU and showcasing some of the key research findings from UK projects under the BuildTEDDI programme. This has nurtured new research links for pursuing Horizon2020 research funding in particular. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | https://teddinet.org/creating-research-links-activity.php?s=european-energy-research-alliance-eera-j... |
| Description | Energy demand reduction, and digital innovation for social housing: defining research needs |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Other audiences |
| Results and Impact | This workshop at De Montfort University brought together over 40 researchers and social housing providers to take stock of existing research efforts, exchange findings and discuss gaps from an end-user perspective. The workshop was not only a good venue for exchange and networking, but also allowed us to draw up a research agenda for the coming years, to identify existing opportunities for further collaboration (including some provided through TEDDINET) and provide us with evidence to make the case for additional research resources. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | https://teddinet.org/creating-research-links-activity.php?s=energy-demand-reduction-and-digital-inno... |
| Description | Energy social scientists in a multidisciplinary setting: opportunities and challenges |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | This workshop for social scientists involved in multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary energy research projects, was held at the University of Bath on 21st and 22nd May 2015. Twenty attendees took part in the highly interactive workshop, which aimed to develop guidelines for best practice in multidisciplinary working and participant recruitment. further activity; This workshop has resulted in the production of an academic paper, co-authored by six social science early career researchers, each working on a different TEDDINET related project (Malaband et al., 2017) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | https://teddinet.org/creating-research-links-activity.php?s=energy-social-scientists-in-a-multidisci... |
| Description | Mathematical challenges of managing energy variability in the face of weather and climate variability workshop: ReCoVER-TEDDINET workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | Held in Birmingham in January 2016, this was a joint meeting of two EPSRC funded networks: ReCoVER: Research on Changes of Variability and Environmental Risk TEDDINET: Transforming Energy Demand through Digital Innovation NETwork The aim of the workshop was to explore themes for research that may in the long term help manage the relationship between variability of weather/climate and of water/energy use and create new links for future collaboration between members of two different disciplinary networks. the workshop explored some of the shared research challenges that arise from: - Relations between weather variability and energy demand. - Relations between weather variability and renewable energy generation. - Longer-term challenges of climate change on energy generation and demand. - Developing and using climate forecasts for engineering simulations. - Linking smart meter patterns of activity to behavioural change. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2016 |
| URL | https://sites.google.com/site/recoverlwec/activities-and-events/recover-teddinet |
| Description | Reducing energy demand with smart buildings |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Industry/Business |
| Results and Impact | co-hosted with Innovate UK and the KTN Build Environment this two day event in Canary Wharf brought together two research communities; private sector R&D (projects co-funded by Innovate UK) and academic research with stakeholders (TEDDI and BUILDTEDDI). The purpose of the meeting was to develop a stronger understanding of what other parts of the research landscape (on digital innovation & energy use in buildings) are working on, to exchange ideas and build new contacts and collaborations. (see website for more info) |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | https://teddinet.org/collaborating-with-stakeholders-activity.php?s=teddinet-annual-stakeholder-meet... |
| Description | annual meeting at the Royal Society 25-03-2014 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | We organised a meeting targeted at industry, policy community and academics. speakers from various (Build)TEDDI projects and industry presented state of the art in their research and smart meter roll out, discussed the research agenda going forward and elicited responses (through break-out groups) about the further direction of research required by the different stakeholders. we got feedback from industry we made new contacts and grew the number of people on our mailing list we saw a peak of visitors to our website we received invitations to present our work at forthcoming industry events |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://teddinet.org/activities/annual-meeting/ |
| Description | final TEDDINET event at the Royal Society, London (15 June, 2018) |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | We had organised a mixed set of talks and discussions. The focus on the final event was both to summarise the findings (across projects and participants in TEDDINET) and to discuss the (future) relevance of these findings in the light of changes and evolution in the UK energy landscape, including thoughts on 'what next'. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | first network workshop hosted by a participating project, in Edinburgh |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Type Of Presentation | keynote/invited speaker |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Professional Practitioners |
| Results and Impact | academic workshop, attended by 44 UK based researchers in the area of digital economy and energy demand people shared research findings people shared research methods people got to know each-other, leading to new collaborations between projects participants helped us to set the agenda for future teddinet activities |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://teddinet.org/activities/kick-off-workshop/ |
| Description | invited talk at BEIS (part of the IEA DSM Day) 1 October 2018 |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A talk or presentation |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | International |
| Primary Audience | Policymakers/politicians |
| Results and Impact | Hosted by BEIS at the conference venue in Victoria street (London) and organised by prof. David Shipworth, the thematic focus of the day was 'Putting consumers in front of the meter: Demand Side Management from the users' perspective'. I was invited to give a talk to share the findings from across the TEDDINET community. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2018 |
| Description | research networking workshop |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | Participation in an activity, workshop or similar |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Study participants or study members |
| Results and Impact | This workshop was largely intended to enhance knowledge exchange and collaboration between members of different research projects on digital innovation and energy management in the build environment, including both academics and other participating partners (energy-related businesses, social housing and other third sector organisations). this workshop also welcomed 6 new projects that had recently been commissioned by EPSRC to look specifically at non-domestic buildings. |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2015 |
| URL | https://teddinet.org/creating-research-links-activity.php?s=third-teddinet-networking-workshop-unive... |
| Description | workshop hosted by 3 participating projects, in Loughborough |
| Form Of Engagement Activity | A formal working group, expert panel or dialogue |
| Part Of Official Scheme? | No |
| Geographic Reach | National |
| Primary Audience | Public/other audiences |
| Results and Impact | project presentations and research findings presented followed by break-out sessions to discuss social science research methods, 'big data' issues and modelling approaches (see report) follow up activities from that workshop include exchanges on ethics, on privacy of cloud data storage, on best-practice in public engagement and more. some thematic workshops to follow in 2015. workshop was also attended by some non-academics (TSB/Innovate UK and social housing associations), who were specially invited for developing further links and to elicit a discussion on shared activities in the future |
| Year(s) Of Engagement Activity | 2014 |
| URL | http://teddinet.org/activities/workshop-2/ |