Experts line up to pick best electricity management innovations for UK homes and businesses

Nesta is announcing the expert panel of judges that will assess the best innovations for intelligently managing in home and small business electricity use in the UK, and the process applicants will undertake. Demand side management is the process of intelligently shifting electricity usage. This is important as it allows more efficient electricity management and better integration of renewables. Due to the often intermittent nature of renewable energy sources and a currently limited storage infrastructure, matching intermittent supply with consumer demand is a challenge. Nesta's Dynamic Demand Challenge - in association with The Centre for Carbon Management, National Grid, Climate KIC and Imperial College London - has been open over the summer during which time it has invited innovators to propose innovative solutions to this problem. Judges include experts in technology, entrepreneurship, energy and business. They will pick solutions that have both technical validity and market potential. The judging panel is: Ø Dr Franka Birke, Entrepreneurship Lead, Climate KIC Ø Jane Burston, Head of the National Physical Laboratory's (NPL) Centre for Carbon Measurement Ø Professor Peter Childs, Professorial Lead in Engineering Design, Imperial College London Ø Fiona Cochrane, Energy Policy Team Leader, Which? Ø Helen Goulden, Executive Director, Innovation Lab Nesta (Chair) Ø Neil Hughes, Head of Technology at National Grid Entries are open until 5pm BST, 9th September, after which shortlisted candidates will be interviewed to select 10 Semi Finalists. Semi Finalists will attend a two day hack event (18th & 19th October) at Imperial College where they will receive expert guidance and explore data sets to help develop their prototype/blueprint further. 3-5 Finalists will then be chosen who will receive up to £10,000 and expert guidance and support to further develop their solutions over 6 months. NPL will carry out measurements to determine their effectiveness in shifting demand and carbon emissions. The Finalist that demonstrates the most significant impact in shifting demand to off peak times and or towards renewable generation, combined with a reduction in carbon emissions will be awarded a £50,000 Prize. Dynamic Demand challenge