Nickhil Sharma, a 3S PhD Student, has recently completed some pioneering work with UK Power Networks (UKPN) where he introduced intersectionality as both a critical theory for reflection and a methodological tool. UKPN, who are responsible for elecricity networks across London, the South East, and East Anglia were encouraged to adopt the lens of intersectionality in order to better understand the diversity of consumer needs, practices, and expectations from smart energy technologies and how they are linked to customers’ various identities such as gender, ethnicity or migration status.

The research, carried out over several months, lead to UKPN adopting new tools in their projects which are exploring how to ensure that the low carbon energy transition meets the needs of a diverse range of customers. These new tools have helped them rethink energy flexibility markets from an accessibility perspective, to make sure as broad an audience as possible benefits, and to recognise the different situations in which energy flexibility markets could benefit both households and the network.

You can read more about this work here: https://utilityweek.co.uk/intersectional-thinking-can-help-forge-a-new-energy-landscape/