New light-bulb can show users the cleanest time to use electricity

The National Grid has launched a new light-bulb that can show the public the cleanest times to use electricity. 

The low-energy LED smart bulb will glow green when the electricity in the user’s local area is being supplied mainly from low-carbon sources.

The bulb can be fitted into any standard desk or floor lamp and is designed to help users make greener energy decisions at home.

The electricity grid was the cleanest ever on this past Easter Monday (April 5th), when a historically low figure of just 39 gCO2/kWh was achieved through a combination of low demand and high levels of renewable generation.

According to the National Grid, an annual average of 100 gCO2/kWh by 2030 would broadly put us on track for net-zero by 2050, but the lower the better and it should be noted that it gets harder the closer to zero we get.

JohnPettigrew, chief executive of National Grid, said: ‘Climate change is the biggest crisis humanity faces. As a Principal Partner of COP26, we want to give people hope by making them aware of the transformational changes taking place in the energy sector as we move towards a clean energy future.

‘Great Britain’s energy system hit a new green record earlier this month with almost 80% of electricity coming from zero-carbon sources, and in the last seven years, we have cut carbon emissions from the electricity system by 66%.

‘We know there is still lots to do, but by showing people the progress that’s been made and bringing them together to better understand energy consumption with tools like the Green Light Signal, collectively we can make a real and significant impact in the fight against climate change.’

In related news, the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan has outlined plans to switch Transport for London (TfL) and the Greater London Authority (GLA) group to actively support renewable energy over the next decade.

Photo Credit – Pixabay