How can we use tech and
behavioural insights to design
an intelligent green energy
system that benefits everyone?
How can we unlock
the potential of active
consumer participation
in the energy system?
How can we build high fidelity
models of the energy system to
improve global understanding
and trigger real-world action?
Centre for Net Zero is an impact-driven research unit, founded by a global energy tech disruptor that services 25 million customers globally across 14 markets.
Our access to tens of billions of customer data points gives us an unparalleled insight into the real behaviours of people and businesses.
We set our own research agenda and operate on a not-for-profit basis.
We’ve made a series of assumptions about how the future energy system will operate. We’re therefore interested in a diverse set of research areas, from energy flexibility to the role of automation, AI and machine learning in unlocking active consumer participation in the energy system. As a result, all of our research advances progress in one or more of the following areas.
Whilst nuclear and hydrogen will have a role to play in replacing baseload coal and gas for power generation, we believe the large scale deployment of solar and wind generation will drive the transformation of power system paradigms.
In the future, we’ll be exposed to increasing disruption from the effects of climate change, geopolitical instability and variable power supply from renewables. We need to design a resilient system that can perform under pressure and quickly resume to BAU after a disturbance.
The intermittency of renewables mean that we’ll need to intelligently match supply and demand. Rather than firing a generator up or down to meet the changing levels in energy use, we can leverage battery storage, shift demand and distribute generation.
The electrification of sectors traditionally powered by fossil fuels, such as heating and transport, can reduce CO2 emissions significantly as we generate more power from renewable sources.
AI and automation are ready to transform the energy sector, from generating accurate forecasting and prediction to intelligently managing energy flows behind the scenes in households and businesses to deliver system-level benefits.
Future energy systems will rely on the efficient flow of data across sectors and actors. The rise of distributed energy resources and bi-directional flows of energy means the system is increasingly complex, and requires careful management via sophisticated digital infrastructures.
The future system will need to engage consumers with their energy use. For this to be effective, it must be designed with ease and equity at its heart, ensuring the benefits of the system are spread widely and leave nobody behind.
The era of a top-down, linear energy system is over. Decentralised systems will be reliant on electricity that is produced off-grid and closer to consumer sites. This can reduce transmission inefficiencies and affiliated economic and environmental costs.
In the future, we’ll be exposed to increasing disruption from the effects of climate change, geopolitical instability and variable power supply from renewables. We need to design a resilient system that can perform under pressure and quickly resume to BAU after a disturbance.
Centre for Net Zero works with a range of global partners in order to turn this wide-ranging vision into a reality. This includes Distribution Network Operators, energy tech players, consultancies and leading global academic institutions.
We’re here to deliver research in the public interest. We unlock valuable insights into the way people behave in the energy system, while upholding the paramount principle of respecting the privacy of Octopus Energy customers. As a result, all data that we use is processed securely, lawfully, ethically, transparently and in support of innovative research.