Accelerating a new energy future

Energised Futures – powered by Centrica

A new in-house research and innovation incubator launched to accelerate a new energy future and catalyse Centrica’s purpose to energise a greener, fairer future.

What we do

We turn challenges into breakthroughs, accelerating the energy transition with exploratory innovation and pioneering collaboration.

Our Research

Our six research pillars power a pipeline of bold, future-focused innovation.

Flexibility

Balancing supply and demand with smart tech and consumer behaviour change

Our first research pillar investigates how smart technology and consumer behaviours can change supply and demand, and accelerate us towards a future where energy is more reliable, resilient, democratised and diversified.

Automation

Optimising device control at scale

We next explore how we can scale flexibility through automation, optimising device control to get the most out of every bit of tech available in every scenario.

Markets

Better valuing, settling, balancing, and regulating energy

We then need markets to leverage the flexibility, which is why we’re also focused on discovering how to better value, settle, balance, and regulate energy, helping more people benefit from greener and fairer energy.

Connectivity

Reliably connecting properties and new devices

There are millions of smart devices in operation and this number is predicted to skyrocket. To get the most out of these devices we’re learning how to best connect them to properties. We’re also developing new agnostic systems – and adapting existing systems – to avoid unnecessary barriers to interoperability between devices.

Accessibility

Ensuring the future of greener and fairer energy is inclusive of all

The acceleration into a new energy future cannot be an exclusive journey. Our fifth research pillar investigates how everyone can be brought on the energy transition, ensuring the future of greener and fairer energy is inclusive of all – not just those who can afford it.

Engagement

Understanding attitudes and behaviours to drive adoption of new energy solutions

Our final research pillar discovers what switches people ‘on’ or ‘off’ from energy, so we can switch energy on or off to balance supply and demand. We’re learning what audiences like and dislike, want and need, as well as existing behaviours they’re happy to adapt or what they’d find challenging. Deep understanding of audiences will help us better communicate energy to them, as well as create new energy solutions people will want to adopt.