Living Lab homes to trial automated heat and energy controls app
Technology developed by startup group Equiwatt will initially be employed in 50 thomes to look at the potential for automating the controls of heat pumps and thermostats using smart metre data
The Energy Systems Catapult will trial a new app intended to automate the controls of thermostats and heat pumps as part of its ‘Living Lab’ project.
50 properties connected up to the Living Lab network will make use of the technology developed by startup Equiwatt to conduct research into how energy required for heating can be reduced during peak demand times.
The energy systems Catapult says the app has a number of free automation functions designed to encourage energy saving behaviours linked to the use of low carbon heat, EV charging and smart plug controls.
The trials will make use of smart meter data in order to monitor energy use in the trial homes and automatically manage how appliances function at times where supplies are at their most expensive or being sourced from non-renewable sources.
Among the focuses of the project will be so-called ‘smart heating’ solutions that will be closely monitored over the course of the trial, according to the Energy Systems Catapult.
Qualitive research will be conducted by the Energy Systems Catapult team to look at user attitudes to the effectiveness of using the Equiwatt app to manage heating needs and determining when systems may need to be adjusted or turned off at certain points. This will include deciding if the households using the technology would continue to use an automated controls solution such as the app outside of the testing project.
Becky Sweeney, business leader for homes with the Energy Systems Catapult said the partnership with Equiwatt builds on work to include the start up on its Energy Launchpad programme that is intended to help provide finance and support for innovative companies and technologies.
She said; “The next step in their journey is to better understand how consumers respond to the app and play their part in meeting the challenges of the energy transition. By making use of our Living Lab capability, Equiwatt will have an opportunity to see first-hand how the behaviour of consumers impacts their energy management choices in a real-world environment”.
Equiwatt chief executive said the group had been working with the Energy Systems Catapult since 2019 and was excited to be involved in the Living lab project.
He said; “The trial will provide us with invaluable consumer insights as we bring new features to the app and help us evaluate our market approach and solution in a closed environment to further enhance the end user experience. It will also contribute to accelerating our work in helping create a more flexible and efficient UK energy system for all.”
“We believe our app can help millions of people across the UK reduce their energy bills and support the transition to a net zero world and this trial has an important role to play in making this a reality.”
Living Lab trials
It was announced earlier this year that the Living Lab would be extended to 2,000 homes across the UK as a means to help trial low carbon technologies and innovations in real world environments.
The Energy Systems Catapult says the concept brings together a mix of different types of housing across the UK. These homes are connected via a digital integration platform that allows for the sharing of data and performance information from these individual properties.
Around 100 households volunteered to take part in the Living Lab project when it was first launched in 2017.