Since 2019, Project LEO (Local Energy Oxfordshire) – a unique collaborative cross-sector project – has been running a series of trials across Oxfordshire to understand how new technologies and services, can benefit local people, communities, and the energy system. As the Project comes to a close, a Final Report has been published, highlighting the key learnings across the range of trials.

With increasing value being placed on flexible resources, such as battery storage, local energy generation and shiftable electricity demand connected to the electricity network, Project LEO trials have looked into how small-scale electricity system users can play a role in providing flexibility to the network. The Project has also studied the infrastructure, markets and regulations that should be put in place to make this flexibility commercially and technically viable.

LEO is one of three smart local energy system demonstrator projects in the UK, using Oxfordshire to replicate the electricity system of the future, taking a ‘whole systems’ approach. Through collaborative, cross-sector working, LEO has demonstrated some of the ways changes to our energy system can accelerate our transition to Net Zero, bringing about social, economic, and environmental benefits for all.

Over the four years of Project LEO’s existence, numerous trials have taken place at a community level, generating evidence and key messages for policymakers to support the UK’s transition to Net Zero.

Of the thirteen key messages detailed in the report, we have identified five as being the most important:

• DSO market development
• Investable business models
• Skilled community of people
• Trialling flexibility and
• Mapping for Local Area Energy Plans

Project LEO focused on understanding how developing flexibility at the ‘grid edge’ (where energy is put to use) can help us reach our Net Zero ambitions in a way that leaves no one behind. Thanks to the invaluable input of partner organisations, local authorities, communities, individuals and energy suppliers, we now have a blueprint for a new future of energy generation, supply and use that will benefit people, communities, the energy system and our planet.