Consumer Vulnerability Impact Assessment Tool

Completed

Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Demographics)
Other Cross-Cutting Technologies or Research(Environmental, social and economic impacts)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY (Electrical and Electronic Engineering)

Sociological economical and environmental impact of energy

Project Contact
Wales and West Utilities

Network Innovation Allowance

Ofgem

01 September 2021

31 December 2021

ENA months

£35,467

Power

Wales

Network Innovation Allowance

Project Contact, Wales and West Utilities

Project Contact, National Grid Gas Transmission
Project Contact, Electricity North West Limited
Project Contact, Western Power Distribution
Project Contact, National Grid Electricity Transmission
Project Contact, Scottish and Southern Energy plc
Project Contact, National Grid plc
Project Contact, Northern Powergrid
Project Contact, Northern Gas Networks
Project Contact, SGN
Project Contact, Cadent Gas
Project Contact, UK Power Networks
Project Contact, SP Energy Networks

"We envisage the tool will operate as follows (technical method): a range of yes / no questions with respect to project characteristics. Sitting behind this is an automated decision tree that, based on the answers, returns a report of distributional impacts of each project on the affected customers. The tool itself will be simple and can be used quickly and efficiently to report consistently measured results.A stakeholder engagement programme will be designed and implemented to ensure the tool accurately reflects issues that vulnerable customers face. Phase 1 (engage): Co-creation sessions (e.g. virtual dashboard sessions), an online survey and bilateral engagement with a range of identified stakeholders through which we present different project scenarios (i.e. outcomes) to collectively brainstorm the varying impacts on different vulnerable consumer groups. Phase 2 (define and validate): Following triangulation of the findings from Phase 1, validate and test the conclusions with key expert stakeholders.Phase 3 (evolve): Ongoing engagement on an annual basis to refine the tool as required and to ensure it continues to offer an accurate assessment of the situations of vulnerable customers. This would be held via an annual event to be held with stakeholders, after which relevant modifications can be tested. This will also form part of the governance, as it will allow for the tool to adapt to changes and measure its continued success.The above method has been selected because:The envisaged tool permits a quick, repeatable method to assess the varying impact of innovation projects on vulnerable consumers (commercial method).The stakeholder engagement not only feeds into and greatly strengthens the accuracy of the tool but also serves as a means through which its continued success can be measured, ensures the tool is kept in line with shifting vulnerable customer needs and allows for the tool to be refined in a transparent manner should any mitigations arise (technical method).Data Quality StatementThe project will ensure that data used is of sufficient quality to deliver project objectives via engaging with key stakeholders in the consumer vulnerability space (stakeholder lists are to be circulated and signed off internally prior to Phase 1 taking place). The feedback that they provide will directly inform the outcomes of the tool. Data will primarily be captured in the following ways: (1) through detailed transcripts of workshops or bilateral meetings with stakeholders and (2) via survey answers as provided by stakeholders. Raw data will be stored and held by Sirio.Measurement Quality StatementThe above data quality objectives will be measured and confirmed in a transparent manner via Phase 2 (define and validate) to retrieve final sign-off as to whether the triangulated findings (and subsequent data inputs / quality) are wholly relevant. This ensures the traceability and reliability of results. Year on year comparability of results will be at the forefront of Phase 3 (evolve), where they will be refined on an annual basis to represent the ever shifting needs and situations of vulnerable customers. Following completion of the common risk assessment this project will need a peer review from another network." "The project will develop, trial and deliver a consumer vulnerability impact assessment tool, which will be developed within Microsoft Exceland require simple inputs (Y/N). The outputs of the tool will produce a clear heatmap of the impact of each project on customers affected by a wide range of situations.In unison, a stakeholder engagement programme will be designed and delivered to inform the building of the tool. At the end of the project a fully functional tool will be made available to the networks. There is a lot of ongoing work to identify the most effective route to meet net zero in the UK, to support the challenge of the climate change act. However, it is imperative that all customers are included in this journey to net zero, by including the most vulnerable in assessments at the beginning of each project we ensure that future investments are to the correct level. " To create a tool that will allow networks to assess the impact of a project on vulnerable customers.

This spend will create a Consumer Vulnerability Impact Assessment Tool that can be used on every NIA funded project.

18/10/23