Carbon Monoxide Awareness Week brings our attention once again to the shocking fact that half of the UK is at risk from the silent killer by failing to have an annual boiler check. With 50 deaths a year from carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning and 4,000 people treated in hospital annually, it’s clear that identifying innovative ways of tackling this has to be a priority. Encouraging people to install CO alarms has to be the first step – something which is being done wonderfully through the Carbon Monoxide – Be Alarmed! campaign currently being run by Energy UK on behalf of British Gas, EDF Energy, Eon, Npower, Scottish Power and SSE.
While fitting CO alarms and raising awareness is a priority for gas distribution network operators, this is also where innovation can be game-changing. One innovation being piloted across the networks is a “smart” CO detector developed by SME Smart Compliance. The detector issues texts to a nominated mobile phone if the poisonous gas is detected. It also issues a weekly report to show the device is fully functional or highlight when the battery needs replacing. Social landlords, for example, can ensure that hundreds or even thousands of properties are continuously monitored for CO without the need for expensive inspection visits.
The Energy Innovation Centre recognised the potential in this technology and helped set up a pilot with three of the networks – Wales & West Utilities, Northern Gas Networks and National Grid. The results to date are incredible: in just six months, two lives have already been saved. For the networks involved in the pilot, though, it goes beyond a simple CO alert. It also allows them to collate data on carbon monoxide levels and incidents. It is at this point that true innovation can happen as the networks can evaluate this data, check for trends – where it is happening, why and when – and take clear action from this. The data can be shared and analysed within the industry for positive outcomes.
This is an example of where adding creativity to science delivers great innovation. Accelerating the deployment of innovations such as the smart CO detector has the potential to make a tremendously impact.
Denise Massey, managing director, Energy Innovation Centre