Assess the market need for a whole house response to a future smart grid. The system would take account of the occupants' comfort needs whilst delivering energy demand reductions at peak times and using or storing grid energy at times of surplus.
The existing PassivSystems platform is designed to control conventional central heating boilers, with heat pump control being a near term roadmap option. The same broadband or GSM connected platform can be used to take homes virtually off the electricity and gas grids for specified times as part of an aggregated response to time of use tariffs.
This project aims to identify and understand the most important considerations surrounding the implementation of such a technology from a marketability, technological and economic perspective. This will be achieved through discussions with the various stakeholders and desk research which will inform the development of models, as well as various other techno economic techniques.
Its outcome will be new knowledge in the area of demand response and smart grids which will support the future development of technology, which is vital for the successful integration of high proportions of renewable generation onto the UK electricity grid.