Electricity distribution companies from the UK, Australia, Italy, and Japan have joined forces to support communities to engage with electricity grids of the future. Launched at COP26 in November, the University of Oxford-led initiative aims to bring together electricity networks and community energy groups to remove barriers to delivering net zero at a local level.

The first-of-its-kind five-year knowledge-sharing partnership will explore the relationship between communities and how they engage with smart grids, according to the University of Oxford.

Founding Partners Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) Distribution, Ausgrid and the Enel Foundation have joined with the University of Oxford to launch the International Community for Local Smart Grids (ICLSG). This initiative will see community energy groups and electricity networks share key learnings from innovation projects, facilitate discussions around challenges and support a collaborative transition to a decarbonised future.

Professor Malcolm McCulloch, who is leading the University of Oxford effort, says, “Communities and distribution networks are the unsung heroes of the decarbonization challenge. Most of the difficult challenges in decarbonising mobility, heating and increase cooling requirements are addressed by these groups.”

For more information, please visit: University of Oxford

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