EasyKey

Completed

Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Demographics)
Fossil Fuels: Oil Gas and Coal(Oil and Gas, Refining, transport and storage of oil and gas)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Mechanical, Aeronautical and Manufacturing Engineering)

Not Cross-cutting
Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy (Consumer attitudes and behaviour)

Project Contact
Cadent Gas

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 April 2023

30 April 2024

ENA months

£149,930

Energy

London

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Cadent Gas

Project Contact, Cadent Eastern

"The current standard key is small and requires a high level of dexterity to grip and turn. OGPs new design will allow responsible engineers to attach a new collar to the current meter box locking feature. Once the collar is attached the user will be able to use an innovative, larger key to both unlock the box and use the additional grip to help open the meter box door.This method will provide a prototype for a commercial solution, that currently does not exist within the market, to enable customers in vulnerable situations to access the ECV and/or EasyAssist and allow them to live independently for longer. Data Quality StatementThe project will ensure that necessary data is of sufficient quality and readily available to meet the objectives of the project. This will be achieved by providing current relevant PSR data, to enable development to progress in the correct manner. Measurement Quality Statement The project will collect data directly from the PSR data available to us, that is relevant to the project. This data will be communicated and reviewed with the wider project team regularly to ensure transparency and consistency." "OGP looks to develop a collar for the meter box door which will be fitted to the locking mechanism allowing the existing key and a specially designed ergonomic key with additional grip to support opening of the meter box.The overall scope, broken into four main stages, is the Engineering development of EasyKey – Inclusive of concepts to field trial. This will be achieved by;Stage 1 – Concept consolidation (review of all ideas, concepts and produce work like prototypes)Stage 2 – Engineering (develop solution, review material needs and amend based on testing and feedback)Stage 3 – Alpha Prototypes (Produce Alpha prototypes and test)Stage 4 - Design for Manufacture & Beta Prototypes (final design review, prototyping and test house and field trials)" "Stage 1: URS/TRS document agreed to by all interested parties, prototypes, user trial and report on findings and test plan draft document.Stage 2: Prototypes to be made and reviewed with all interested parties, design documentation pack (including CAD and Drawings needed for manufacture). Costed Bill of Materials (BOM) and material options to be provided and cost estimates/implications for each option.Stage 3: Prototypes for review by all interested parties & test report.Stage 4: Released CAD and Doc pack, “works like, looks like” prototypes in the correct material for approvals testing and G23. Internal Test Report, External Test House Report, and field trial report "

"This project is to design a meter box key that is more suitable for customer in vulnerable situations and with dexterity issues. The current standard key is small and requires a high level of dexterity to grip and turn. OGPs new design will allow responsible engineers to attach a new collar to the current meter box locking feature. Once the collar is attached the user will be able to use an innovative, larger key to both unlock the box and use the additional grip to help open the meter box door.This method will provide a prototype for a commercial solution, that currently does not exist within the market, to enable customers in vulnerable situations to access the ECV and/or EasyAssist and allow them to live independently."

01/11/23