Northern Powergrid’s Electricity Innovation Trial FAQs
How will the trial help the community use local energy more efficiently?
The trial is opening up the relationship between energy generated and consumed behind a substation (local energy on the low voltage network) and generation and demand of energy on the high voltage network. The trial will examine the data on the energy flows behind a substation to ascertain whether more capacity (low carbon technologies like solar PV, air source heat pumps and electric vehicle chargers) can be added without having to make significant costly adaptations to Northern Powergrid’s local substation. The community will be rewarded for avoiding 'stress events' on the local grid at times of peak energy usage and for agreeing to participate in the trials. During the trial, we will test how homes with solar panels, batteries, heat pumps, and electric vehicle chargers can better manage energy use, ensuring power flows smoothly in the local area. This could make it easier and quicker for lots more homes and business properties to install low-carbon technologies in the future.
Who can join the trial?
The trial is based on feeder cables — that run from a local substation to homes and businesses. Your trial community consists of everyone connected to the feeders from Whitley South substation, which is located behind the NHS medical centre in Whitley Road, meaning that the community is clearly defined, Only residents and businesses on these feeder cables will be invited to take part. You won’t necessarily know if you are eligible, but we do have the street addresses that are and will be in direct contact with you. If you are not connected however, but are interested in helping us answer questions on how best communities would prefer to engage, we will be holding energy workshops and focus group events to identify how energy can benefit all of us.
What is local energy and how it could save you money?
Local energy is electricity generated close to where it is used, typically from renewable sources like rooftop solar panels, small wind turbines, and smart batteries connected to the local low-voltage network. In contrast, traditional energy comes from large, distant power stations—such as nuclear plants, offshore wind farms, or coal and gas power stations—which supply electricity to communities via the national grid. This system can sometimes result in energy losses as electricity travels long distances, making it less efficient and often less green. Local energy, by comparison, is cleaner and more efficient because it is generated and consumed within the community. In this trial, we will focus on solar energy produced by homes on the same local power cables (or feeders) connected to the substation. Because this energy doesn’t travel across the wider national grid, it should be cheaper for you to buy excess solar from your neighbours while allowing them to earn more than if they sold it to a national supplier. This approach benefits both individuals and the wider community.
How does my smart meter work?
A smart meter sends an electronic meter reading to your energy supplier, meaning they won't need to take a manual meter reading. Some of you may have a smart meter already or have applied for one from your energy supplier. This will have a digital display in your home, helping you to keep track of how much energy you're using and how much it's costing. Some of you may also have a home energy management system such as HIVE or NEST and use an app on your phone to manage your heating.
So, what is a smart hub and what does it do?
Our trial is also using a proven energy resource management system unit and connected app called the ‘Kiome Smart Hub’. This will be installed by a trusted electrician for free and you will be able to keep this forever after the trial ends. It will monitor the energy flowing to and from your home so Northern Powergrid can understand voltages in our local area better during this trial. If you have a home battery, you can choose to allow the project to remotely manage its charging and discharging through the hub. However, this will always be within the limits you set in the Kiome app. To visualise the electricity flow you can download the Kiome app to your smart phone can read about the Kiome platform online at https://cleanwatts.energy/kiome/
Can I see what the equipment is doing?
Yes, the Kiome smart hub has indicator lights that provide information in an easy and quick way. Through the indicator lights, you will be able to see if the hub is connected, and if there are power constraints in your local network. If so, you can help your community and local grid by adjusting your energy usage during that period and be rewarded for it. You will also be able to download the Kiome app, which will give you real-time insights into your home’s energy usage. You will be guided on how to do this at the appropriate time. The app will show if you have opportunities to earn money by adjusting when you use certain appliances to support the project. If you don’t want to use the app, the community manager at Whitley Bay Big Local can download data for your home and ‘translate it into plain English’ and share this with you by email if preferred.
How big is the smart hub and where will it be installed in the house?
The smart hub is 10x10x3cm (small) and is installed near your meter board (consumer unit). The smart hub requires a plug power source to operate and a new power socket may be installed free of charge if necessary and possible without any need for redecorating.
What data will the smart hub send?
The Kiome Smart Hub will measure the total electricity your home uses from the grid. If you have solar panels, it will also track how much energy you generate and export back to the network. Every 15 minutes, the hub securely sends your energy use in kilowatt-hours (kWh) to the project. By installing smart hubs in multiple homes connected to the same part of the network, we can better understand how power flows to and from the local substation. This helps identify and manage times when too much electricity is being used or sent back, ensuring a more reliable and efficient network for everyone.
Who will see the data from the smart hub?
Your energy data will be securely collected by Cleanwatts, the makers of the Kiome Smart Hub, and shared with Whitley Bay Big Local When you join the trial, you will sign a GDPR consent form, ensuring that all project partners follow strict data protection and privacy rules. Your data may be shared between project partners if needed to resolve technical issues, but it will not be shared beyond the project. Any data used in research reports or publications will be anonymised and combined with others to protect your privacy.
Will any electrical devices in my house be impacted?
The Kiome smart hub will not affect any devices in your home. It simply requires one plug socket for power. If you have a home battery, you can choose to allow the project to remotely manage its charging and discharging, but only within the limits you set in the Kiome app. Additionally, we may occasionally send you messages suggesting ways to shift when you use certain appliances. This is entirely optional, but if you choose to take part, you could earn rewards for doing so.
Is the smart hub safe?
Yes, the Kiome Smart Hub is completely safe. It meets all EU and UK safety regulations and is a small, low-voltage device designed for homes just like yours. The hub is installed close to your consumer unit and securely sends energy data to the project using a built-in SIM card—just like a mobile phone connecting to the internet. The Kiome Hub is already used in many homes across Europe and requires no maintenance or effort from you. For more details, you can visit: https://cleanwatts.energy/kiome/.
Will I benefit from the trial outcomes?
By taking part in this trial, you will: • Earn an installation fee, rewards and potentially lower your energy bills. • Have more control – The free Kiome home energy system lets you monitor and manage your energy use in real-time. • Support your community – Your participation helps build a community fund for local projects • This is an opportunity to be part of a forward-thinking energy project that benefits both your home and your local community.
What kind of rewards will there be?
You will receive £75 when the smart hub is installed and £25 each quarter as long as the smart hub remains active, and you complete a quarterly survey. You can earn additional reward if you actively take part in events to reduce electricity consumption
Will the financial rewards continue after the trial ends?
The trial is designed to help communities take control of their local energy use in a way that can be self-sustaining. While we can only guarantee payments during the trial, the goal is for Whitley Bay Big Local to continue supporting the community beyond this period, if a commercially viable model is a product of the trial. By working together, the community should create ongoing value—helping the energy network run more smoothly and enabling residents to share locally generated clean energy at lower costs. We expect this value to support the community energy group and potentially provide ongoing financial rewards or other benefits for members after the trial ends.
Are there any risks to being involved?
The trial does not pose any legal, financial, or social risks to participants. At no time will you be asked for any money whatsoever from any partners on this project or Northern Powergrid. If you agree to remote management of your battery or EV charging, it may be charged or discharged automatically in the interests of saving you money. However, the timing and extent of these actions will be based on your selected preferences in the Kiome app. You can read about the Kiome platform online at https://cleanwatts.energy/kiome/
If you have any additional questions, please send an email to energy-community@whitleybaybiglocal.org. we aim to reply with 72 hours.
Or visit out Energy Cafe on the 2nd Saturday each month from 10am to 1pm in the Whitley Bay Big Local Hub
or attend one of our Community DSO workshops, which will be advertised on our Facebook page,