Smart city expert praises JE's Smarter Living centre
One of the UK’s leading experts of smart cities, Joe Dignam, praised Jersey Electricity’s new Smarter Living area when he officially opened Jersey's new ‘Energy Hub’, saying he had never seen a space that brought together so many different manufacturers of smart technology under one roof. Smarter Living, situated in the heart of the Powerhouse, also showcases all the latest energy efficient heating systems available from Jersey Electricity and Joe later wrote that switching from carbon-based fuels was a massive part of getting smart.
Around 50 guests attended the official breakfast opening, including States of Jersey officials Jersey Construction Council members, architects and electrical suppliers as well as those local contractors who worked on the £0.5m project.
JE CEO Chris Amber said that Jersey had much to be proud of, including a clean, secure and affordable electricity system that was already virtually decarbonised and the envy of many larger countries. He added: ‘But we know there is more to be done. Having laid a solid foundation we are now moving our focus on to the demand side. We are again ahead of the UK in the deployment of Smart Meters. We have invested £11m over the last four years in a project to provide all customers with a Smart Meter that links to an online Smart Account through which they can view their usage profile and bills on a phone, tablet or PC, enabling them to monitor their electricity use better than ever before and identify how changes in consumption behaviours can reduce bills.
‘We want to encourage electric transport and help our customers access the latest "smart" technologies that will give them more control, convenience and comfort as well as helping them to save energy by using electricity as efficiently as possible.
‘We also recognise the appetite for local renewables and will do all we can to encourage their introduction to Jersey’s energy mix in an efficient and economically viable manner that benefits all Islanders.
‘But with an already decarbonised electricity supply that has helped Jersey reduce overall emissions by 40% since 1990 the only way we make further carbon reductions is for us all to work together to displace fossil fuels with electricity for heating, cooling and transportation - and to use it as efficiently as possible.
‘We have listened to our customers who said they would like to see a physical "Energy Hub" in Jersey where they can come see, touch and learn about the latest technologies that can help them live, cleaner, greener lives by learning how to be more energy efficient and reduce their energy bills. Our answer was to mix the virtual with reality; Smarter Living, is the most advanced energy efficiency-promoting and Smart tech showcase in the Channel Islands and possibly the UK.’
Smart heating controls allow you to manage your heating and hot water remotely from a computer, tablet or smart phone. Other smart technology can benefit your life in all kinds of ways, creating a home that works the way you want it to.
Smart technology enables you to connect speakers, lights, doorbells, security cameras, windows, heaters and other appliances to your home WiFi so you can communicate and control them via an app on your smartphone, table or PC. Many connected home devices can be brought together with voice control assistants such as Google Assistant, Alexa, or Siri so you don’t even need to pick up your smartphone. Smart technology puts YOU in control, saving you time, energy, money and enhancing your lifestyle. Come and get smart. Visit Smarter Living.
