National Grid Ventures (NGV) unveiled today an innovative digital tool called Doorstep, enabling communities to actively participate in the development of local energy infrastructure projects in their area like never before.

Doorstep includes project timelines, regular project updates, opportunities for communities to customize information based on their interests and participate in polls that will allow users to provide feedback and dictate what information is shared on the tool. The digital tool, available both on a customized site and through an iOS and Android app, puts communities in the driver's seat to guide project development and maintain open communication with our project teams.

"At NGV, we do not assume we know what communities need. If we plan to build or operate clean energy infrastructure in an area, we meet with community members and listen to what they need. Then we work to deliver it," said Will Hazelip, President of NGV US Northeast. "Stakeholder and community engagement is the way to confirm we are building the proper renewable energy infrastructure. Doorstep takes that one step further by elevating the dialogue, so the community does not just say yes, but sees that project as useful, vital and valuable."

The features available on the digital tool reflect the direct input of users and what they would most like to see, developed after months of user testing.

Doorstep features include:

  • Project updates
  • Project timeline
  • "Mythbusters" information to help distinguish fact from fiction
  • Deep personalization options to enable users to see how energy projects will directly benefit them, and to ensure they see the information most relevant to their needs
  • Events calendar
  • Polling to amplify community voices and provide input on Doorstep content
  • Job board

As a case study, NGV developed Doorstep for Community Offshore Wind, a joint venture between NGV and RWE. NGV plans to apply the digital tool to more of their energy infrastructure projects in the future.

On Community Offshore Wind's Doorstep tool, users can understand the different phases of the project, understand why offshore wind technology is reliable, and visualize what the view of an offshore wind farm looks like from the beach.

The tool is available to any energy developer looking to take a step further in stakeholder engagement. For more information on how to utilize the tool, contact info@doorstepcommunity.com.

Learn more about Doorstep by watching this video or download the app on Google Play Store or on the Apple App Store.

About National Grid Ventures

National Grid Ventures (NGV) is the commercial arm of National Grid plc, one of the largest investor-owned energy companies in the world. NGV operates outside of National Grid's core regulated businesses in the US and UK where it develops, operates and invests in energy projects, technologies and partnerships to accelerate the development of a clean energy future. NGV's diverse portfolio of low carbon and renewable energy businesses across the UK, Europe and US includes subsea electricity interconnectors, wind and solar power, and battery storage. For more information, visit https://www.nationalgrid.com/national-grid-ventures.

Disclaimer

National Grid plc published this content on September 30, 2024 and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on October 01, 2024 at 18:23:02 UTC.