2025 Highlight Day 6: Invest to Save Project

For Day 6 of our 2025 Highlights, we are pleased to announce that earlier in the year the Digital Office received a grant from the Scottish Government’s Public Service Reform (PSR) Invest to Save fund. This funding will support our exploration of innovative Internet of Things (IoT) energy monitoring solutions across various local government properties.

What we aim to achieve:

The project will deploy non-intrusive energy monitoring sensors in a diverse range of council properties such as offices, schools, depots, and community venues. By gathering real-time data on energy usage, we aim to identify inefficiencies, reduce costs, and support councils in meeting carbon reduction commitments. This initiative will provide a strong evidence base for future sector-wide adoption.

Progress so far:

• Procurement: A mini competition using the Scottish Government Internet of Things (IoT) Dynamic Purchasing System (DPS) has been undertaken, and a delivery partner has been selected. We would like to thank the Perth and Kinross Procurement and Energy Management teams for their valued support in achieving this.
• Expressions of Interest: In collaboration with the Scottish Energy Officers Network (SEON) and Scottish Heads of Property Services (SHoPS), an Expression of Interest process has been undertaken, resulting in 10 councils submitting diverse project proposals that serve as excellent test cases for the solution. Now the procurement process is complete we will review the Expressions of Interest to confirm what can be delivered within the project timescales and budget and will commence engagement and detailed planning with the councils selected.

Colin Birchenall, Chief Technology Officer, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government “We are excited by the opportunity to work with council energy managers and property managers to explore innovative digital approaches to identify practical opportunities for reducing energy consumption and minimising carbon emissions”.