FAQs Archive - Page 5 of 6 - Smart Energy Research Lab

Q: Data Protection Privacy Notice

Information on your rights as a participant and how UCL uses participant information are available here. University College London (UCL) is the Data Controller for this project. UK Data Archive and Ipsos MORI are Data Processors. The UCL Data Protection Officer provides oversight of UCL activities involving the processing of personal data. If you are concerned about how your personal data is being processed, or if you would like to contact us about your rights, please contact UCL in the first instance at data-protection@ucl.ac.uk . The categories of personal data used will include: name, address, smart meter data, survey responses, and energy performance certificate data (where available). The lawful basis used to process this data is performance of a task in the public interest. In the survey, you may choose to tell us if anyone in your household is not working because of long-term sickness or disability. This is special category data and the lawful basis used to process this is scientific and historical research or statistical purposes. Your personal data will be processed as long as required for the research project. We will keep your data secure, store your contact details separately from data used for research, and minimise the processing of personal data wherever possible, in accordance with GDPR regulations.

Q: What will happen to the results of the research project?

We will publish the results of our research on our website and in a variety of publications such as academic books, journals, and at conferences. Individuals and households will not be identified in any publication.

Q: Will my data ever be sold or used for commercial purposes?

No, the data accessed for this study will not be sold and will only ever be used to conduct scientific research.

Q: Will my taking part in this project be kept confidential?

Your participation in the project will be kept strictly confidential. We commit to safeguarding your privacy and we will not share your data with any third parties other than accredited UK researchers working on approved research projects. Confidentiality will be respected subject to legal constraints and professional guidelines.

Q: Are there any possible disadvantages or risks of taking part?

This is an observational study only so there should be no risks or disadvantages to you.

Q: What are the possible benefits of taking part?

Energy research is important to inform effective government policies, drive technological innovation, and make energy consumption more secure, sustainable and affordable. You may benefit indirectly from these in the future. Taking part is intended to deliver benefits to society and to future generations.

Q: How will my data be linked?

The value of the smart meter data greatly increases when data is linked (or combined) with other information. We will link your survey responses and smart meter data with data about your local area and your property e.g. weather data or the Energy Performance Certificate for your property, if available. We may link your data to other sources that we can lawfully hold about your address for scientific research purposes in the public interest. Linking of data will only happen with the approval of an independent research ethics committee.

Q: How would we collect your smart meter data?

UCL are an accredited Party to the Smart Energy Code (SEC), the UK legislation that governs access to smart meter data. CGI (an accredited SEC Party and DCC User) provide a technical service that connects to the national smart meter communication network (the DCC Gateway) which would remotely collect your smart meter data and securely transfer it to the UK Data Archive at Essex University (who are partners in this research project and manage your data for UCL). We would collect your data completely independently of your energy company, who would not be made aware of your participation in this project.

Q: What data will be accessed from my smart meter?

If you consent to participate, we will remotely access the following data from your smart meter(s): Half-hourly energy consumption readings (and any historic readings dating back 12 months, or less if you tell us you moved into your address less than 12 months ago) Information about your energy tariff Information about what devices are connected to your smart meter(s), such as an in-home display

Q: What will happen if I take part?

If you choose to take part, then you will need to provide consent for UCL to access your smart meter data and you will be asked to complete a short survey. This can be done either online or by post. If you would like to request postal versions of the consent and survey forms, please email or call the helpline to request these. Once we receive your consent, we will then start accessing your smart meter(s) data. We will do this remotely without the need to visit your address and you will not need to do anything further. We will continue to collect your smart meter data until you withdraw from the project or move home. If you wish to continue participating after you have moved home, then please let us know by contacting us. Your data will be stored securely at the UK Data Archive and made accessible through a secure environment to accredited UK researchers on approved research projects. We will contact you once per year to remind you that we are accessing your smart meter data, notify you about how we are using your data in our research, describe our results, and remind you how you can withdraw from the project. We may also invite you to complete a follow-up survey.