LRS wins industry innovation awards

20 February 2012

LRS was named the overall winner at the CDFA's innovations awards for its new project SHIMMER.

Naomi Kingsley, Chief Executive of London Rebuilding Society said:

"Its great to get recognition for the innovative work that LRS is doing. CDFI's are uniquely placed to achieve social change through innovation. SHIMMER is at the forefront of using technology and business innovations to lift households out of fuel poverty."

5 million households in the UK live in fuel poverty; this is forecast to increase thanks to rising energy prices, an ageing population, and increasing pressures on household incomes.

SHIMMER (Smart Homes Integrating Meters Money Energy Research), a smart home energy pilot, brings vulnerable and fuel-poor households energy management and income maximisation services, and can help to make financial savings of between £200 and £3,500.

The pilot, involving the Energy Saving Trust, London Rebuilding Society and HomeZone, also highlights a big opportunity for the social housing sector to bring useful services to their tenants in a more engaging way.

Many housing associations and local authorities are already expressing an interest in SHIMMER. SHIMMER will help them to fulfill their statutory duties to fuel poor and vulnerable households, meet reporting and monitoring requirements on carbon usage, and will help their tenants increase income – minimizing the likelihood of debt and rent arrears.

With an opportunity to develop into sustainable and scalable revenue stream, SHIMMER’s synonym – ‘scintillating’ – is a well-deserved description.

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