FAQs Archive - Page 4 of 6 - Smart Energy Research Lab

Q: Who is the study run by? (CV-19)

The project is being led by University College London (UCL), in partnership with the Centre for Research into Energy Demand Solutions (CREDS), University of Essex (UK Data Archive), Cardiff University, University of Edinburgh, Leeds Beckett University, Loughborough University, University of Oxford, University of Southampton and the Energy Saving Trust, and funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Ipsos MORI is supporting UCL with the study and is responsible for the mailings and processing the postal returns. This study has been approved by UCL research ethics.

Q: Are there any possible disadvantages or risks of taking part? (CV-19)

This is an observational study only so there should be minimal risks or disadvantages to you. Given the government advice to stay at home we encourage you to respond online rather than by post. The survey asks questions about changes to your household circumstances caused by coronavirus impacts which some participants might find sensitive.

Q: What are the possible benefits of taking part? (CV-19)

Energy research is important to inform effective government policies and make energy consumption more secure, sustainable and affordable. Understanding how the UK’s energy needs are changing due to the coronavirus outbreak is important for helping the UK to recover from coronavirus, be better prepared for future emergencies, and to help the UK fight climate change going forward. You may benefit indirectly from these in the future. Taking part is intended to deliver benefits to society and to future generations.

Q: Who can access SERL data?

Normally SERL granular data will only be accessible to accredited UK researchers. Accredited researchers who are not affiliated to a UK Higher Education Institution (HEI) will need to have a UK HEI partner to act as project lead on their application. PhD students can access the data if their supervisor is included on the application and goes through the project approval process with the student as above. Masters and undergraduate students will not be able to access the granular data. Other parties such as policymakers, overseas academics or private sector organisations wishing to use the SERL portal would need to do so in partnership with accredited UK researchers. SERL hopes to develop a mechanism to put academic and non-academic parties interested in researching similar topics in touch with each other to develop projects. Please contact info@serl.ac.uk if you would like to enquire further about this possibility.

Q: Can I upload my own data to SERL?

The laboratory function of the researcher portal will allow you to upload your own project data to SERL to compare with the SERL core data – subject to adherence to rigorous security and data governance procedures. See more on Data Governance More detailed information is available in the Key Documents section. Please contact info@serl.ac.uk if you require any further information on researcher use of SERL.

Q: Where can I find publications that use SERL data?

Publications using SERL data will be posted on this site under the Key Documents section as they appear.

Q: How does SERL recruit participants?

SERL recruits households randomly selected from a list of addresses with a DCC-enrolled smart meter in England, Scotland and Wales. These households are sent a letter (and reminders) by post inviting them to participate by consenting to data collection and (optionally) completing a survey. More details about participant recruitment can be found in the Participants section and in the Key Documents .

Q: What contextual data will be available?

SERL asked all participants to complete an optional contextual survey about their household and dwelling when they signed up. We also link relevant external datasets such as weather and Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) data to smart meter and SERL survey data.

Q: What is the sample size of the data available?

SERL recruited 13,000 GB households from 2019-2021. The data for the full sample was first made available in the 3 rd Edition of the SERL dataset, released in August 2021. All recruited homes have DCC-enrolled smart meters (electricity and/or gas).

Q: What if something goes wrong?

If you wish to make a complaint you should inform us directly using the contact details provided. If you feel that your complaint has not been handled to your satisfaction you can contact the Chair of the UCL Research Ethics Committee – ethics@ucl.ac.uk . If you remain unsatisfied, you have the right to lodge a formal complaint with the UK Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Full details may be accessed on the complaints section of the ICO’s website.