The project is intended to create an innovative system for communication between groups of houses to allow users and housing managers control over the management of energy use and indoor environmental conditions. This feasibility study will focus on integrating and enabling new types of local infrastructure systems, where ICT capabilities will be investigated and encouraged to act as an enabler that will allow appliances to intelligently communicate with supply networks to automatically manage energy demand. The project is applicable to new and existing buildings at the community scale. Current technology in this area is based upon smart meters and providing users with improved information on their consumption. This project will progress the state of the art by investigating the feasibility of linking low cost wireless sensors to smart connected homes.
The outcomes from the project will be proven at laboratory scale and then trailled within innovative building designs on the BRE Innovation Park at Ravenscraig, allowing potential users of the technology to appreciate the opportunities and benefits. The project partners will take forward the commercial aspects of the project by linking specific services with the SME equipment and installer supply chain, and housing clients (housing associations, local authorities, power companies) to drive demand.