Powergen joins forces with government

Powergen, the utility provider, is gearing up for the start of a government-backed trial to test energy-monitoring dev-ices in homes.

The initiative is part of a drive to reduce carbon emissions by cutting energy consumption as outlined in the Energy White Paper earlier this year.

The trial is to be conducted in conjunction with the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (formerly the Department for Trade and Industry).

Powergen, which is phasing out its name in favour of parent brand Eon, will treat the trial as part of its Changing Energy initiative as the battle to be the greenest energy provider hots up.

It is promoting both its commitment to building wind farms in the UK in its Winds of Change execution and its renewable energy, via the Go Green product push.

Rival energy brands have tested similar devices. Npower offered Electrisave devices to consumers in a year-long trial (MW November 10, 2005), while British Gas and EDF Energy have tested similar devices. However, these providers are not taking part in the government-backed trial.

However, the Energy Retail Association says display devices do not help them monitor gas consumption nor offer information in real time. Instead it favours “smart” meters.