Smart Towns and Rural Communities: user issues and opportunities

This conference paper describes user issues emergent from Smart Energy Grid research in Cornwall and study in Germany. Consumer use of smart meters and related equipment, including the effects of logistical idiosyncrasies, environmental issues and design factors are noted. The studies are carried out over the period 2013-2015 in conjunction with British Telecom, Smart Cornwall and the Wadebridge Renewable Energy Network. The paper focuses on design requirements and issues linked to the installation and use of Smart Micro-Grids in rural areas., This presentation has resulted in the signing of memoranda of understanding with a major Korean telecom company and an industry association, the Korea Smart Grid Institute, to conduct further work on Smart Grids and user issues as part of wider collaborations on Smart Grids, Green Data Management and the impact of Superfast Broadband on rural areas. Research work as part of the Smart Cornwall initiative will be collaboratively paralleled by similar work in Jeollanamdo Province, South Korea.