Expert methodological input to support DECC's assessment supplier-led trials of Smart Meter

DECC requires trials expertise to support assessment of supplier led trials of alternatives to In-Home-Displays provided alongside Smart Meter installations.

The contract includes the delivery of trials guidance and call-off expert review of trial proposals.

DECC recently consulted on regulatory changes to allow suppliers to carry out controlled trials of alternatives to the In-Home Display (IHD).

The trials will assess whether these alternative feedback devices and methods can deliver equivalent or greater benefits to IHDs.

Specifically, the anticipated reduction in domestic energy consumption realised by feedback enabled behaviour change as well as broader impacts on consumers (e.g. engagement with energy information).

Evidence collected will be required to be provided to DECC and will inform future policy development and decisions in this area.

The successful contractor will support this process by: • Delivering detailed application guidance (and application materials) setting out DECC’s requirements and recommended best practice approaches for energy suppliers wishing to undertake trials • Supporting suppliers in adopting the guidance • Delivering a framework and criteria for DECC’s assessment of supplier proposals • Supporting DECC's assessment of supplier proposals, by providing expert review to ensure trials will provide high quality, robust and useful evidence Overall, DECC’s intention is for trials to generate a range of evidence (including from large scale quantitative trials, and smaller scale qualitative research) on different approaches, with different types of consumers, which answers the general question “what works, for whom, in what context?

Bidders should be able to demonstrate that their team has: • Applied experience in the range of trial methodologies outlined above • Experience of developing research questions and designs to assess mechanisms for the delivery of outcomes (in addition to measuring outcomes themselves) • Experience of working on research projects that included analysis of energy consumption impacts is highly desirable but not essential • Experience of working with third parties, or industry to deliver or advise on research proposals