The Sunday Independent recently featured an initiative led by Emeritus Professor Alan Smeaton and his research team at Dublin City University helping Irish households reduce their electricity bills by identifying the most cost-effective tariffs based on actual usage. The project invites the public to donate their smart meter data from ESB Networks, which is then analysed against more than 60 available energy tariffs.

The tool compares user consumption to current supplier plans and generates customised recommendations. Early participants in the project have reported potential savings of up to €500 annually, simply by switching from flat-rate to smart tariffs. Despite this, many consumers remain reluctant to switch due to the complexity of understanding new pricing structures.

Emeritus Professor Smeaton notes that smart plans are cheaper for the vast majority, around 95%, but uptake remains low. “People don’t believe it’s cheaper and are spooked because they think they can’t go back to a flat rate,” he explains. The project’s aim is to bridge that gap with clear, data-driven insights to help consumers make informed decisions and avoid overpaying for electricity.

You can explore the tool here

The full Sunday Independent paywalled article is here