Getting Britain energy fit for the future
Our technology is always evolving – from the latest phone to the best new streaming services. But why has our energy system been left behind? We’ve teamed up with Mr Motivator and leading British athletes Nicola Adams, Greg Rutherford and Kelly Smith to demonstrate how we can get Britain energy fit for the future.
Energy fit for the future - the challenges
The man who’s helped generations of Britons get fit, Mr Motivator, knows better than anyone that without the right technology, you’ll never be on top of your game. Whether it’s old sports kit, outdated outfits, or even our outdated energy system – the latest tech is key to getting ahead.
He put 3 world class athletes, Nicola Adams, Greg Rutherford and Kelly Smith, to the test, equipping them with antique tennis rackets, wooden golf clubs and even a penny farthing to compete in a series of challenges that show just how much outdated equipment can hold your game back
Find out how they got on below:
-
Mr Motivator: Hey guys, I’m Mr Motivator. You know for 30 years I’ve been getting the nation moving. I got your parents fit, I’m getting the kids fit, But now I’m on a mission, and that is to get Britain Energy Fit for the Future. And guess what, you don’t even have to get off the sofa. Our energy system, it needs upgrading and by getting a smart meter you’ll be upgrading the system. And I’m going to show you why it’s so important. Nicola, Greg and Kelly are known for being top of their game in boxing, the long jump, and football. We want to show how difficult it is to perform at your very best with outdated equipment, no matter what challenges you’re doing. So let’s get Britain Energy Fit for the Future! So guys, thanks for taking part. For you Greg…
Greg: Cycling!
Mr Motivator: Nicola
Nicola: Tennis
Kelly: Golf
Mr Motivator: Guess what, you’ve got to use that equipment over there… You’ve got to get round this track as fast as you can. Here we go! [sounds klaxon] C’mon Greg, you can do it.
Greg: Whooah, do you want to give it a go?
Mr Motivator: You’ve got to try and return as many balls as you can in 60 seconds Are you ready for it?
Nicola: Let’s do it.
Mr Motivator: I’m excited! Hit em! C’mon Nicola! No! You’ve got to get that ball as close as you can to that flag down there. Can you do it?
Kelly: Absolutely.
Mr Motivator: Make it a good one now, close as you can.
Kelly: Topped it.
Greg: It doesn’t feel particularly efficient at all.
Nicola: It’s tough work.
Kelly: There’s no bend, there’s no give in it.
Mr Motivator: You’ve got to get updated to the new gear. Let’s go for it! Go Greg go! Yes Nicola! Beautiful action Kelly!
[various reactions]
Mr Motivator: My goodness, Kelly! So the message is simple, using new technology can improve speed, efficiency and save a lot of energy! Just like our athletes you can’t get to the top of your game using outdated technology. For clean energy for our kids’ future, we have all got to do our bit and make Britain Energy Fit for the Future. By getting a smart meter, you’ll be doing your bit to upgrade the system.
Mr Motivator said:
“I get so much joy empowering people to get up and be more active - this has been my life mission. One important lesson I have learnt is that you need the right mindset and equipment to get to the very top of your game, and that applies just as much to our energy system as to top sports people. Expecting our outdated energy system to meet Britain’s growing needs is like trying to win a race on a penny farthing or play a grand slam with a wooden racket. One thing people can do to help, without even getting off their sofa, is to get a smart meter installed.”
Why does our energy system need to be fit for the future?
As a nation, we love to upgrade our outdated gadgets and gizmos. From upgrading to a flatscreen television, to purchasing a new tablet or laptop - or even replacing a DVD player (and many DVDs), with an online streaming service instead.
So, why are we leaving our old analogue gas and electricity meters in our cupboards? 66% of us don’t even know how old our gas and/or electricity meters are!
And you may be surprised to learn that some of the analogue meter technology used in our homes today could be decades old. That’s like using a penny farthing to win a modern bike race!
To make sure Britain enjoys a cleaner future, with electric vehicles and smart appliances, our nation requires a major upgrade to its energy infrastructure.
How will smart meters help upgrade Britain’s energy system?
The good news is that there is one way you can help upgrade Britain’s energy system from the comfort of your sofa, without breaking a sweat…
A smart meter is the next generation of a gas and electricity meter. They measure how much gas and electricity you’re using in near real time, as well as what it’s costing you and display this on a handy in-home display.
Smart meters will help modernise the energy system and mean that in the future it can better support the things millions of Brits want from our energy system, like using more renewable energy. They will allow Great Britain to better forecast energy demand more efficiently, transition to mass uptake of electric vehicles and to build a greener economy.
And there’s more! Smart meters are also having a positive impact on how people use energy.
Sarah, a mum of two from Chelmsford, says her boys no longer leave their gaming consoles on standby and she always makes sure they turn the lights off. By making a few changes around the house, she's seen significant savings on her gas and electricity bills.
-
My name's Sarah, I live in Chelmsford, I've got two children, one's six and one's sixteen. Being able to afford and cover the bills right now is really hard.
The rise in the cost of living has impacted us significantly because the gas, the electric, the food bills, school uniform, you know, everything's gone up and it's impacting life a lot more. So I started noticing my bills were going up just before Christmas, and it's really hard to stay in control and know which ones to pay first. It might be a bill rather than a jumper for my child, you know? You can't control something that you've got no control over, so you have to just worry, and worry for the next month to the next month.
Previously, before having a smart meter, I wasn't really aware of how much the tumble dryer or the washing machine, leaving the cooker on, leaving the TV on costs. Whereas now having a smart meter, I'd consciously turn the cooker off in the evening, the washing machine, the tumble dryer, the VT goes off. The smart meter that I have does show me what I'm spending, what I've got left, when I need to top up. And that's a small bit of control that I have got.
As well as having the in-home display, I also have the app on my phone, which is perfect because whilst I'm at work throughout the day I'll check the app and if I can see that the meters are running low I can quickly top up, I don't have to leave. You know, really easy: just go to the app and top it straight up and then you can see that the balance has gone up within a couple of minutes.
Anyone that's struggling as in friends or family, I would recommend a smart meter because you definitely know what you're spending.
How can you help?
Join the millions of Brits who are already helping to create a more environmentally friendly country.
Simply type your energy supplier into the box below and we'll connect you:
Want to find out more?
- How smart meters can help to reduce your carbon footprint - We all want to live in a world with cleaner air and cleaner energy. But what’s all that got to do with smart meters?
- Powering the future with electric vehicles - Smart meters are helping to create an energy system which supplies more reliable, efficient and low-carbon energy to households. This will enable the energy system to easily adapt to the latest tech, including electric vehicles.
- Five inventions you could see in the Smart E-Home of the future - From electric vehicles to how we do our washing, innovations in housing and in technology are set to transform the way we live in just a few short years.