Smart-Up is an EU funded project that will encourage vulnerable customers in those Member States that have embarked on the roll-out of Smart Meters to actively use their Smart Meters and In-House Displays to achieve energy savings.

Previous studies have shown that Smart Meters do not lead to energy savings in the residential sector unless households actively use them and modify their energy-use behaviour. This project will fill the gap, as well as raise awareness on demand response services.

This will be done by developing a training program for installers, social workers and other frontline staff in contact with vulnerable people, so that they can inform vulnerable consumers about the benefits brought about by smart metering and advise them on how to use their Smart Meter and In Home Display (IHD) units (where fitted) to best effect each time they are in contact with them.

Most vulnerable and low-income householders require one-to-one and ongoing support. However, there is no common definition of vulnerable people in Europe. This project will address various target groups suffering from fuel poverty living in different types of households.

The Horizon 2020 SMART-UP project will train people to become energy advisers and empower households to make small changes to their habits to improve their living conditions and help to reduce their energy bills. They will also encourage the active use of smart meters and in-home displays by vulnerable consumers. Their target is to engage in total 5.000 households in France, Italy, Malta, Spain and the UK. To date more than 400 social workers have been trained and more than 4.400 vulnerable households have received their advice.

Summary of project aim:
To increase the active and effective use of smart meters and in-home displays (where fitted) by vulnerable consumers
To encourage vulnerable consumers to change their energy-related behaviours in response to improved feedback information
Enable vulnerable consumers to make significant energy savings, reduce their fuel bills and seize further opportunities that may be offered by demand-response services

The project is funded by the Horizon 2020 programme of the European Union.