SHAPA Smart Heating and Poverty Alleviation

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Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK
Innovate UK

£298,280

May 31, 2020

Feb. 28, 2021

The award is to Connected Response who specialise in the retrofit smart-charging of electric storage heating and hot water systems, as found in 1.5m homes in GB, many of whom are disproportionately fuel poor.

Their technology has evolved over the last five years to serve social housing tower blocks and keep residents warm when they want to be warm. This is done by moving away from night-charging only and by making better use of renewable generation to charge heaters at multiple times through the day. This existing service is delivered collaboratively with major social housing landlords and energy suppliers.

The current technology has been developed for high and medium density housing applications, Funding will enable fast-track application of IoT radio and mobile phone (LoRa and GSM) technology to reach all household types regardless of geography and proximity to other homes. This is especially important for households in remote rural areas or dispersed suburban properties and will enable them post Covid-19 to enjoy improved comfort, reduced bills and better health. It is widely acknowledged that there is a direct correlation between warmth and wellbeing- better heat means better health -- especially important when households are experiencing a disruption in circumstances.

Household heaters will be charged according to individual resident comfort needs, local weather forecast and room temperature, rather than to suit historic electricity network needs. Each household will also be able to play its part in the wider climate change agenda by their heater charging being dynamically aligned with the availability of local renewable energy.

Households with electric heating are much more likely to be in fuel poverty due to their reliance on expensive On Peak electricity on winter nights when their stored heat has dissipated. It is anticipated that households will be able to enjoy considerable bill reductions, especially in colder areas. This innovation will add further value to the Smart Meter roll-out and demonstrate that a smart-charging retrofit storage heating solution can play a major part in the electrification of home heating.

An Extension for Impact for three months was granted to enable them to engage with and seek support from major fuel poverty and energy efficiency organisations. This will include a small quantity of pilot properties that will have the measure installed as an exercise to refine how consumer engagement will be managed during full implementation.