About the Smart & Fair programme

An elderly woman using a tablet to manage her energy bills

The UK’s energy system is undergoing a radical transformation to meet net zero targets. But how do we ensure this transition is both smart and fair?

At the Centre for Sustainable Energy, we champion social inclusion and fairness in the UK’s energy transition. Our Smart & Fair programme develops tools, methodologies, and insights to support energy industry and policymakers in creating a green, smart and fair energy system, for everyone.

Why Smart & Fair matters

As our energy system becomes smarter and more flexible, it brings new ways to generate unfairness. Some people benefit greatly from these changes, while others risk being left behind. We’re here to ensure no one is excluded from our future energy system.

Our focus areas:

Supporting the energy advice sector: We develop digital tools and training resources to help energy advisors navigate the increasingly complex energy market.
Market confidence and innovation flexibility: We scrutinise emerging markets to ensure smart energy innovations serve a broad range of consumers.
Data analytics for consumer representation: We use advanced data analysis to accurately capture the impacts of individual choices and policy interventions on different consumer groups.

The Smart & Fair approach

We combine deep understanding of the energy system with on-the-ground experience in energy advice and tackling consumer vulnerability. Our multifaceted approach includes:

Developing innovative tools like the Capabilities Lens, Offer Profiling Tool and Energy Choices Tool.
Conducting social research to understand consumer needs and concerns.
Collaborating with industry partners to embed fairness in research and innovation.
Providing evidence-based advice to shape policies and technologies.