Edinburgh-based company UrbanTide has launched their new artificial intelligence (AI) software which can help with the continuing cost of living crisis. 

The platform, uZero, combines anonymised smart meter system data with multiple cross-sector datasets and uses AI to produce detailed fuel poverty risk maps, helping to identify homes with poor energy efficiency. 

The project is part of the UK Research Institute’s Modernising Energy Data Applications (MEDApps) programme and has been supported by the Data Communications Company (DCC), Greater South East Net Zero Hub, University College London and Connected Places Catapult.

Energy companies and local authorities are obligated under the government’s ECO4 scheme to provide greater support and deeper retrofit for the least energy efficient homes. 

The information collected by uZero can be used by local authorities, housing associations, energy suppliers and social care providers to find solutions and target homes that are most at risk as the cost of living crisis continues. 

The charity National Energy Action estimates that the number of UK households in fuel poverty has grown from 4.5 million to 6.7 million in 2022, equaling one in four UK households. 

“For many households, soaring energy costs will mean they feel the impacts of fuel poverty for the first time, and that’s going to put a lot of pressure on those responsible for delivering support,” Simon Tricker, co-founder of UrbanTide said. 

The firm has worked with local governments and agencies to understand how best they can help households during the crisis. The platform will make it easier for households most at risk to be identified, allowing them to access funded programmes for energy prices. 

The economic impacts of this technology can greatly benefit households as we approach the winter months, but it can also help tackle carbon emissions. 

“This software should not only help to reduce fuel poverty but also have a positive impact on CO2 emissions,” Maxine Narburgh, Regional Head of Greater South East Net Zero Hub, said, “Retrofitting homes with poor energy efficiency ratings will help the UK to meet its Net Zero targets.”

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The tech is also a promising use of data to inform AI and promote energy efficient living, as it combined data from several sectors to formulate the fuel poverty risk maps.

Matt James, head of Strategic Innovation at the DCC, said “At the DCC we believe this project is a great example of how improving data access can help accelerate the nation’s efforts to reduce the impact of fuel poverty and ultimately reach Net Zero.”

The company’s hope their collaboration will help households as they continue to struggle in the unprecedented cost of living crisis.

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